Don't destroy Hlalani Kuhle house but….says Chombo

Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Ignatius Chombo has told Bulawayo residents, Thursday  that no Hlalani Kuhle house would be destroyed by local authorities but said illegal structure would be brought down.

Chombo was telling Cowdry Park residents during a hand over of Hlalani Kuhle houses under phase two to Bulawayo City Council.

"No local authority should destroy any structure built for residents under Hlalani Kuhle areas," he said amid cheers.

However, he continued, "But those houses built in illegal areas not permit by local authorities would be destroyed," said Chombo.

Bulawayo Governor Cain Mathema told Chombo that residents in the city are demanding titles demand for their houses.

Chombo responded by directing council  to sell its houses that  have been occupied for more than  15 years.

Last year, Government decided to  hand over all the hurriedly-built houses constructed in 2005 under a State-sponsored Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle housing scheme to local authorities to ensure the inhabitants get water and sewer services.

The hastily-constructed structures were built without sewerage and water facilities.

Chombo's comments about destroying illegal structures sent shock waves to guests who recalled the 2005 demolition of thousands of what illegal slums in all urban centres under the infamous Operation Murambatsvina / Restore Order, leaving an estimated 700 000 people homeless.

The United Nations and several international non-governmental organisations attacked the operation as ill-conceived and inhuman.