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Zimbabwe govt halts Harare demolitions, demands 4 months' notice
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The Zimbabwean government has barred the Harare City Council from demolishing houses without providing a minimum notice period of four months, ensuring affected property owners have time to reconstruct and secure alternative shelter.
This directive follows the council's controversial plan to demolish over 5,000 houses starting this week. Residents of Mabelreign, Kuwadzana, Budiriro, Mabvuku, and Glen View have received 48-hour eviction notices for homes allegedly built on land reserved for public amenities.
Speaking on the sidelines of an Institute of Architects of Zimbabwe meeting in Harare last Friday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe criticized the city council's rushed approach to evictions. He stressed the importance of respecting citizens' rights to shelter and called the council's short notice periods "unreasonable."
"There is a lot of excitement from the City of Harare in terms of wanting to demolish people's homes," said Minister Garwe. "We are human beings, and every human being has the right to shelter. Who can build a house in four days and move in Zimbabwe?"
The minister clarified that demolitions could only target structures built on land designated for social amenities such as schools, recreational areas, and railway lines. However, even in these cases, he emphasized the need for proper notice and alternative arrangements for affected residents.
While acknowledging that many houses were constructed illegally on land meant for other purposes, Minister Garwe advocated a more compassionate approach. He urged the council to provide residents with adequate notice to vacate and find suitable alternatives.
"Give them three or four months' notice; they need time to rebuild and relocate. Four or five days is simply not enough," he said.
Minister Garwe also warned against illegal land transactions facilitated by land barons, cautioning citizens to avoid purchasing land from unverified sources. He highlighted the potential legal consequences for both buyers and sellers involved in such deals.
"It is illegal to buy land from land barons," he stated. "People should be vigilant and report suspicious land deals that seem too good to be true, like purchasing a 2,000-square-metre stand for US$500."
The government's directive aims to balance the enforcement of urban planning laws with the protection of citizens' rights to housing. While urging compliance with land use regulations, Minister Garwe reiterated the need for humane treatment of affected residents.
The Harare City Council is expected to revise its eviction plans to align with the government's directive, ensuring that residents are given sufficient time to secure alternative shelter and prevent unnecessary hardships.
This directive follows the council's controversial plan to demolish over 5,000 houses starting this week. Residents of Mabelreign, Kuwadzana, Budiriro, Mabvuku, and Glen View have received 48-hour eviction notices for homes allegedly built on land reserved for public amenities.
Speaking on the sidelines of an Institute of Architects of Zimbabwe meeting in Harare last Friday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe criticized the city council's rushed approach to evictions. He stressed the importance of respecting citizens' rights to shelter and called the council's short notice periods "unreasonable."
"There is a lot of excitement from the City of Harare in terms of wanting to demolish people's homes," said Minister Garwe. "We are human beings, and every human being has the right to shelter. Who can build a house in four days and move in Zimbabwe?"
The minister clarified that demolitions could only target structures built on land designated for social amenities such as schools, recreational areas, and railway lines. However, even in these cases, he emphasized the need for proper notice and alternative arrangements for affected residents.
"Give them three or four months' notice; they need time to rebuild and relocate. Four or five days is simply not enough," he said.
Minister Garwe also warned against illegal land transactions facilitated by land barons, cautioning citizens to avoid purchasing land from unverified sources. He highlighted the potential legal consequences for both buyers and sellers involved in such deals.
"It is illegal to buy land from land barons," he stated. "People should be vigilant and report suspicious land deals that seem too good to be true, like purchasing a 2,000-square-metre stand for US$500."
The government's directive aims to balance the enforcement of urban planning laws with the protection of citizens' rights to housing. While urging compliance with land use regulations, Minister Garwe reiterated the need for humane treatment of affected residents.
The Harare City Council is expected to revise its eviction plans to align with the government's directive, ensuring that residents are given sufficient time to secure alternative shelter and prevent unnecessary hardships.
Source - The Herald
