News / Local
High Court stops demolition of homes
21 Nov 2013 at 11:34hrs | Views
About 300 families had their homes saved this week after a High Court Judge ordered the Umguza Rural District Council to stop the destruction of the Reigate Compound situated just outside Bulawayo.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights announced Wednesday that it had won a High Court order 'interdicting the Umguza Rural District Council from demolishing 75 houses'.
In March this year the council started evicting the compound residents to make way for planned new structures, only to backtrack after there was a wide spread public outcry and intense lobbying from the human rights community.
At the time, the rural authority chairperson Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu distanced herself from the demolition and expressed her 'shock' at what she said was an 'illegal' move.
But according to residents the council resumed the evictions and demolitions over the last few weeks forcing them to approach the courts seeking an interdict to the exercise.
On Wednesday Justice Moyo granted residents Ernest Mpofu, Elina Sibanda, Margaret Mnkandla, Beauty Mlalazi, Thandiwe Dungeni, Thandiwe Mlalazi, their wish.
The rural authority wants to turn the Reigate area into a residential suburb and has reportedly started selling some stands.
The affected residents argue that the council is violating their rights to shelter because they have lived in the compound for close to 30 years paying rentals to the local authority.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights announced Wednesday that it had won a High Court order 'interdicting the Umguza Rural District Council from demolishing 75 houses'.
In March this year the council started evicting the compound residents to make way for planned new structures, only to backtrack after there was a wide spread public outcry and intense lobbying from the human rights community.
At the time, the rural authority chairperson Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu distanced herself from the demolition and expressed her 'shock' at what she said was an 'illegal' move.
But according to residents the council resumed the evictions and demolitions over the last few weeks forcing them to approach the courts seeking an interdict to the exercise.
On Wednesday Justice Moyo granted residents Ernest Mpofu, Elina Sibanda, Margaret Mnkandla, Beauty Mlalazi, Thandiwe Dungeni, Thandiwe Mlalazi, their wish.
The rural authority wants to turn the Reigate area into a residential suburb and has reportedly started selling some stands.
The affected residents argue that the council is violating their rights to shelter because they have lived in the compound for close to 30 years paying rentals to the local authority.
Source - SW Radio Africa
