Zimbabwe govt launches investigation into Harare City Council demolitions

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced that the Government has initiated an investigation into recent house demolitions carried out by the Harare City Council, which proceeded without a court order. This disclosure came during a heated National Assembly session on Tuesday, where legislators questioned the legality and rationale behind the demolitions.

Responding to inquiries from lawmakers, Minister Ziyambi clarified that the Government was not involved in the operation, which he confirmed had no court-sanctioned basis. "In this particular case, it is the Municipality of Harare that demolished the houses without a court order," he stated, adding that all responsibility fell to the city authorities. "They are the ones that have been allowing the buildings to be built. They are the ones that have demolished without even a court order, and we have also requested that this be investigated."

Minister Ziyambi expressed agreement with legislators that local authorities should address illegal construction proactively, instead of waiting until homes are completed before enforcing demolitions. "Why wait until a house has been built and then send bulldozers to destroy it? Some of the houses were beautiful structures, and it is not even fair to those people," he remarked.

The minister urged local authorities, largely under opposition control, to handle such issues with a greater focus on human rights and a humane approach. The demolitions have sparked significant public outcry, with residents lamenting the loss of their homes and financial investments. The Government's investigation aims to determine the legality of the council's actions and the possible need for reform in urban management practices.