Hopley evictions leave hundreds homeless

Hundreds of families were left homeless on Tuesday night after being forcibly evicted from their homes in Hopley, Harare South, to make way for a road construction project.

The evictions left scores of residents stranded along the Harare–Masvingo Highway in Beatrice, with their belongings scattered and damaged by rain. Many families claim they had lived in the area for more than 20 years and were never informed that the land had been earmarked for development.

When visited on Wednesday, some victims were still sorting through debris, trying to salvage bricks and other building materials from their damaged homes, while other houses continued to be demolished.

Residents allege that the land was allocated to them by Zanu-PF officials, who assured party supporters that they could build and stay there indefinitely.

"We were given this place by Zanu-PF. We were told mastands emusangano (Zanu-PF stands) and party members were allowed to build and stay here as long as you support the ruling party. We were assured that we were safe and the land belonged to Zanu-PF," said Tanaka Murevazvivi, one of the affected residents.

According to the residents, they were initially served with a two-week notice in October 2025 but were later reassured by their councillor and Member of Parliament that they would not be evicted.

"We went to our councillor and MP, who assured us we were going nowhere. We were shocked yesterday when the Messenger of the Court came to evict us. People were dumped by the roadside along Beatrice Road in this rain, with children. Most people had gone to their jobs and found their belongings already taken. They were violently throwing furniture into one big truck, even if the owner was not there. Most people had their furniture broken or stolen," Murevazvivi added.

Rhoda Norumedzo, a mother of three, said she spent the night sleeping outdoors with her children.

"We have been living in this area for the past 20 years and this is the only home we have. We do not have anywhere else to go. Last night I slept with my children outside and it is heartbreaking for me as a mother," she said.

The demolitions also affected a local school, leaving dozens of children without a learning facility.

Residents questioned why authorities allowed them to build for years before ordering the demolitions.

"The authorities see us building from day one. Why do they leave us to develop our properties and then destroy them later? This takes years of sweat and sacrifice, then they just come and destroy. We are in pain," said Regina Tafa.

Illegal settlements continue to mushroom across Zimbabwe, particularly in Harare, driven by deepening poverty, a severe housing backlog, and unscrupulous land barons who parcel out unserviced stands to desperate home seekers.

The incident has reignited calls for stronger legal protections for long-standing residents and urgent interventions to address Zimbabwe's housing crisis.