Spitzkop residents cry foul over fresh demolitions

Residents of Lot 14 Spitzkop on the outskirts of Harare have appealed for urgent government intervention following renewed demolitions and alleged eviction threats linked to private developer Vevhu Resources.

In a letter dated May 14, 2026, the Combined Greater Spitzkop Residents Association urged the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, to convene an urgent all-stakeholders meeting to resolve the long-running land dispute affecting more than 3 000 households.

Residents said the situation had deteriorated into what they described as "a state of disaster and disorder," accusing Vevhu Resources of continuing demolitions despite earlier findings by the Uchena Land Commission that residents should not be displaced.

"Our community Lot 14 has become a state of disaster and disorder. Residents are living in fear of evictions by Vevhu Resources," reads part of the letter signed by association executive secretary Davie Kucherera.

The residents further alleged that on May 11, 2026, homes were demolished, and claimed that in previous incidents, individuals linked to the developer had attacked residents during enforcement actions.

The association has called for urgent government engagement involving multiple stakeholders, including the Office of the President, police authorities and local representatives, to prevent further conflict and displacement.

"Our humble plea is to have a long-lasting solution," the letter said. "We hope and trust that your esteemed office is going to expedite this very important meeting."

The dispute centres on Lot 14 Spitzkop, where thousands of families say they purchased residential stands in good faith, believing the land allocation process was lawful and properly authorised.

Investigations linked to the Uchena Commission reportedly established that the land was transferred to the state through Gazette Notice 108 of 2008, placing it under government ownership after being acquired from Drakes and Sons (Pvt) Ltd.

Despite this, Vevhu Resources is alleged to have subdivided and sold stands before obtaining full approval for conversion of the land from agricultural to urban use in 2022.

The commission is also said to have flagged irregularities including the sale of state land without approved layout plans and the collection of development-related payments without authorisation from the Ministry of Local Government.

Residents say they were required to pay various fees for infrastructure development such as roads and services, only to later face uncertainty over the legality of their settlements.

"We were told to pay for development, for roads and for services," one resident said.

The issue has been further complicated by ongoing legal and political developments surrounding the long-delayed Uchena Commission report on illegal land sales, which was submitted to the government in 2019 but only recently ordered for public release following a High Court ruling.

The findings are expected to shed light on widespread land allocation irregularities involving so-called land barons, which have contributed to chaotic urban settlements across the country and significant financial losses to the state.