City of Harare Clarifies Leaked Document on Demolitions and Regularisation of Illegal Structures
The City of Harare has confirmed the circulation of a leaked document titled “Report on Regularisation and Demolitions of Illegal Structures in Harare.”
The city clarified that the document is only a preliminary internal working draft that was never intended for public release at this stage.
According to the City, the draft is currently under review and awaiting deliberation by the relevant council committee.
Its premature appearance on social media has raised concerns and confusion among residents, prompting the City to issue an official clarification.
Verification and Enforcement to Follow Legal Procedures
In its statement, the City emphasized that any forthcoming action will follow a verification and enforcement process focused on identifying illegal developments on Council, State, and privately-owned land within Harare’s jurisdiction.
These efforts, it stressed, will be in full compliance with government directives, legal procedures, and the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act.
“All applicable government and council policies and procedures will be duly observed,” the statement read.
Warning against Further Illegal Land Deals
The City strongly warned residents against participating in illegal land activities, including buying land from unauthorised sellers or occupying Council or State land without proper documentation. It noted that corrective action will be taken against those found violating these regulations.
Residents were also reminded that land acquisitions should only be conducted through official channels to avoid future complications, including demolitions or loss of property.
Residents Urged to Seek Official Guidance
To avoid misinformation, the City urged residents to visit official council offices for accurate information regarding land matters. It reaffirmed its commitment to transparent governance and lawful urban planning.
“Residents are strongly advised to refrain from engaging in further illegal activities, including the acquisition of land from unauthorised individuals and the unlawful occupation of Council and State land. The City will take appropriate action to address such contraventions.
For any inquiries pertaining to land matters within Harare, residents are encouraged to visit the City’s official offices for accurate information and assistance.”
Photo: Demolition underway in rural Zimbabwe. Source: Daily News.
Harare City to Demolish 5,000 Houses amid Central Govt Resistance
Siyabonga Mpini, Daily News
17 November 2024
Harare City Council to Demolish 5,000 Illegal Houses Amid Government Pushback
The Harare City Council plans to demolish over 5,000 houses built in illegal settlements across the city, citing 37 High Court orders authorising the action.
The targeted houses are mostly in high-density suburbs such as Kuwadzana, Budiriro, Glen View, and Mabvuku and were built on land reserved for public amenities like schools and clinics.
Harare City Council to Demolish 5,000 Illegal Houses
The Sunday Mail reported that the government has opposed the move, with Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe insisting:
“There are no demolitions that are going to take place. We gave them a blanket ban on demolitions.”
Despite this, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed the council’s intention to enforce the demolitions to restore order and uphold the law, blaming political interference for delays.
“We have 37 High Court orders obtained by the City Council and private individuals to evict illegal settlers. These orders have not been enforced due to political interference and excuses that land barons have exploited to continue illegal developments,” Mafume said.
He added that the houses in question occupy land initially designated for essential services:
“The tragedy of it all is that over 5,000 of these houses have been built in areas that were earmarked for schools, clinics, recreation, and sporting facilities. In the mornings, you see hundreds of children crossing Chitungwiza Road to reach schools in Highfield, Glen View, and Glen Norah. It’s an unsustainable situation.”
Mafume compared the failure to enforce urban planning laws to an addiction, warning that continued negligence undermines city governance.
“A city is an artificial construct which relies on the enforcement of the law, and once people develop a habit of not enforcing the law, it becomes an addiction. It is an addiction worse than drug addiction,” he said.
The Curse of Land Barons
Mafume criticised land barons for exploiting modern building technologies to construct three-bedroom houses in a weekend, complicating legal enforcement.
“It starts with a small cabin that is immediately occupied and called a ‘home.’ By the time we take legal action, they would have built larger structures,” Mafume explained.
The council recently demolished over 30 houses in Belvedere, alleging they were built on council-owned land unlawfully allocated by a private company using fraudulent documents. Residents accused the council of worsening the housing crisis, while the government distanced itself from the operation, ordering an investigation.
Further complicating matters, a Commission of Inquiry into the Harare City Council revealed that opposition CCC councillors have allegedly hijacked the regularisation of illegal settlements to collude with land barons. Principal housing officer Edgar Dzehonye testified that councillors allocated residential stands under dubious pay schemes, such as Svikiro and New Dawn, allowing illegal activities to thrive.
Photo: Demolition of an “illegal” home built in Belvedere. Source: Zimlive.
Also read: Furious Government Launches Investigation into Belvedere Demolitions
| Themes |
| • Access to natural resources • Destruction of habitat • Displaced • Displacement • Forced evictions • Housing rights • National • Public policies |
