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Mafume says they are protecting victims from land barons
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Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has revealed that the authorities at Town House are working with the government to enforce demolition court orders in an orderly manner to protect residents who could have been duped by land barons. This comes after government last week described the recent demolitions as inhumane following the destruction of 30 houses in Ridgeview, Belvedere.
Mayor Mafume told NewsDay yesterday that the municipality is collaborating closely with the government, which has since ordered Town House to halt any further demolitions. "We are working with government on the court orders. Demolitions should be done in an orderly manner but at the same time we are saying people should be compliant with the country's laws," Mafume explained.
He emphasized that there are instances where land barons have duped residents into building houses on unauthorized land, creating potential safety hazards and undermining proper urban planning. "We have people who have built houses where children are supposed to play. If we create a city like that, our children will not be happy," he added. Mafume stated that the municipality has reported the land barons to the police and is awaiting their arrest.
Sources at Town House told NewsDay that there are 144 applicants set to be regularized according to some council resolutions. One of these projects, Tafara Pay Schemes led by Everson Luni, has complied with council by-laws for town planning purposes. These include paying application fees, circulations, Zesa, surveying fees, Environment Management Agency costs, and sewer fees.
It was heard in court recently that the scheme applied for regularization and council accepted its application. Harare City Council Housing Director Addmore Nhekairo testified in court saying the Tafara Extension Housing Scheme has been considered for regularization. The scheme has faced a dispute between Luni, Enock Zvidzai, and one Makamba, who sought to take over the scheme. However, Luni ultimately won after it emerged that the other parties wanted to apply for 100 stands alone. Luni has since been given a partial compliance certificate.
Meanwhile, the council has also passed a resolution for the regularization of Mbare flats, including areas like Matapi, with tenants set to acquire them on zero deposit or an insignificant amount. This initiative aims to address longstanding housing challenges and ensure that all residents have access to safe and secure accommodation.
The ongoing collaboration between the government and the municipality highlights a concerted effort to address the impact of land barons and ensure proper urban planning practices are followed to protect residents and maintain public order.
Mayor Mafume told NewsDay yesterday that the municipality is collaborating closely with the government, which has since ordered Town House to halt any further demolitions. "We are working with government on the court orders. Demolitions should be done in an orderly manner but at the same time we are saying people should be compliant with the country's laws," Mafume explained.
He emphasized that there are instances where land barons have duped residents into building houses on unauthorized land, creating potential safety hazards and undermining proper urban planning. "We have people who have built houses where children are supposed to play. If we create a city like that, our children will not be happy," he added. Mafume stated that the municipality has reported the land barons to the police and is awaiting their arrest.
Sources at Town House told NewsDay that there are 144 applicants set to be regularized according to some council resolutions. One of these projects, Tafara Pay Schemes led by Everson Luni, has complied with council by-laws for town planning purposes. These include paying application fees, circulations, Zesa, surveying fees, Environment Management Agency costs, and sewer fees.
It was heard in court recently that the scheme applied for regularization and council accepted its application. Harare City Council Housing Director Addmore Nhekairo testified in court saying the Tafara Extension Housing Scheme has been considered for regularization. The scheme has faced a dispute between Luni, Enock Zvidzai, and one Makamba, who sought to take over the scheme. However, Luni ultimately won after it emerged that the other parties wanted to apply for 100 stands alone. Luni has since been given a partial compliance certificate.
Meanwhile, the council has also passed a resolution for the regularization of Mbare flats, including areas like Matapi, with tenants set to acquire them on zero deposit or an insignificant amount. This initiative aims to address longstanding housing challenges and ensure that all residents have access to safe and secure accommodation.
The ongoing collaboration between the government and the municipality highlights a concerted effort to address the impact of land barons and ensure proper urban planning practices are followed to protect residents and maintain public order.
Source - newsday
