Harare Correspondent
HARARE – The Harare City Council has announced a temporary halt to its plans to demolish over 5,000 houses built illegally on council land, following a directive from the Government to provide affected homeowners with at least four months’ notice.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume confirmed the decision to pause the demolitions, stating,
“We have put on hold demolitions for now.”
Acting Chief Development Control Officer Mr. James Mazvimba also indicated that the council is currently consulting with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
“We are engaging the Ministry for direction, but the demolitions will resume,” he remarked.
Just two weeks ago, the council began issuing 48-hour eviction notices to residents in affected areas, with seventeen property owners in Mabelreign among the first to receive notifications. The council had plans to extend these notices to high-density suburbs including Budiriro, Kuwadzana, Glen View, and Mabvuku.
The City of Harare had previously expressed its intention to demolish over 5,000 houses built in illegal settlements across the city, relying on 37 High Court orders to authorize these actions.
However, the situation took a turn when Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe intervened, urging the council to postpone the demolitions.
“We are human beings, and every human being has the right to shelter,” Minister Garwe stated, addressing the council’s eagerness to demolish homes.
“They are playing to the gallery… Yes, we appreciate that those houses were illegally built and people were not following the laid-down procedures; people built on land set aside for other activities and social amenities — schools and railway line.”
Minister Garwe emphasized the need for compassion, advising the council to provide adequate notice for the residents to vacate the premises.
“Give them three or four months’ notice; but they were giving them four days, five days,” he noted.
The Harare City Council recently carried out demolitions in Belvedere, claiming that over 30 houses were illegally constructed on council-owned land. City officials argue that these actions are part of a broader initiative to enforce urban planning regulations and curb unauthorized developments, stating that the land had been unlawfully allocated to home seekers by a private company using fraudulent documents.
As the council engages with the government, the fate of thousands of residents remains uncertain, highlighting the ongoing challenges of urban planning and housing regulations in Harare.
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