Zanu-PF bigwig linked to 'cruel' Harare demolitions

Fresh allegations have emerged surrounding the demolition of homes in St Martins, with affected residents claiming that a politically powerful Zanu-PF figure is behind the destruction in an attempt to take control of valuable land in the area.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the identity of the alleged political figure has not been publicly disclosed. However, residents say they are increasingly convinced that the demolitions are being driven by interests beyond the enforcement of municipal planning regulations.

The latest demolitions have also raised questions over the enforcement of a High Court order which residents say protects them from eviction and the destruction of their homes.

A visit to St Martins yesterday found affected residents gathered for an emergency meeting, with many expressing fear and frustration after bulldozers reportedly destroyed dozens of permanent and temporary structures on Friday.

Residents insist they are protected by a High Court order issued in September 2025 by Justice Happius Zhou.

The order interdicted the City of Harare and anyone acting on its behalf from evicting residents or demolishing their homes in St Martins Extension, as described under layout plan TP2F/CR/022, without a valid court order.

"The respondents, together with all and any persons acting or purporting to act on its behalf and or in its name, be and are hereby interdicted from evicting the applicants and or demolishing the applicants' homes presently built on a piece of land known as St Martins extension ... without a valid court order," the ruling states.

Despite the order, City of Harare bulldozers moved into the area on Friday, leaving residents counting the cost of demolished homes and other structures.

St Martins Residents Association chairman Dave Jenje said residents had collectively raised about US$2 million, which was paid to the City of Harare for development of the area.

He said the affected residents were legitimate beneficiaries and had not invaded the land.

According to Jenje, only Phase 2 of St Martins was demolished, while Phase 1 remains intact.

Residents claim they have received information that a politically influential figure is interested in the land and is allegedly using political influence to circumvent established legal processes.

"Whoever is giving this order is inhumane," Jenje said.

"We raised US$2 million and gave it to the City of Harare. There are people who are misusing their political muscle. I spent 10 years building my house and now it's gone."

He added: "We bought the land from the city council and we did not invade it. This is not state land but council land."

Jenje also claimed that members of the Central Intelligence Organisation were present during the demolitions.

The Standard could not independently verify the allegations regarding political interference or the involvement of intelligence officers.

Residents also questioned the conduct of police officers who were reportedly present during the operation.

One resident, who declined to be identified for fear of reprisals, alleged that police initially appeared prepared to intervene but subsequently left the area.

"Police came and they were supposed to stop the demolitions, but they received a phone call. I think it's a powerful force, and they just disappeared," the resident alleged.

Another resident said homeowners were given no warning before the demolitions began.

"We bought our stands from the city council, but they are now hiding behind land barons. I don't know if the city council are land barons now," he said.

He added that residents had been instructed to undertake development themselves after paying the council, only to see their homes destroyed.

"We are still surprised; no one even came to inform us, not even a notice," he said.

The St Martins demolitions come against the backdrop of a long-running housing and land crisis in Harare, where thousands of people have occupied or acquired residential stands through disputed or irregular arrangements.

Similar demolitions have occurred in areas including Epworth, Hatcliffe and Hopley, with authorities frequently citing illegal settlements and non-compliance with planning regulations.

However, residents' groups and housing activists have repeatedly accused politically connected land intermediaries, commonly referred to as land barons, of exploiting the housing crisis.

Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba condemned the St Martins demolitions and called on Mayor Jacob Mafume to convene an urgent meeting with council management.

"We are saddened by the latest developments where completed houses and those still under construction have been demolished without hesitation by the City of Harare," Shumba said.

"We are worried that this trend is not being put to rest."

He argued that residents facing eviction should be afforded due process.

"Before any demolition, any eviction takes place, the affected people must be afforded a fair hearing, an opportunity to present their case and represent their interests," he said.

Shumba also accused council officials and politically connected individuals of being involved in questionable land allocation practices.

"We have noted with increasing concern that in most instances, land barons working with city officials are at the forefront of misinforming beneficiaries of illegal land allocations," he said.

"What is worrying to us is that land barons are not being arrested.

"People who are at the forefront of selling council land are not being arrested, yet they are known."

He called for greater transparency in the allocation of residential stands, including the creation of an electronic housing waiting list that could be independently audited.

"People are pocketing money belonging to desperate home seekers in the name of the City of Harare. When conflicts arise, the victims are further victimised by having their houses demolished," Shumba said.

"This financial ruin will take probably 10 to 15 years to recover from. We cry together with those who are hit by the council's decisions to demolish people's houses."

Combined Harare Residents Association director Reuben Akili also criticised the demolitions, arguing that constitutional and legal safeguards must be respected.

"In demolitions, the Constitution should be followed; there should be a court order," Akili said.

He acknowledged that allegations of wrongdoing within the council needed to be investigated.

"We are not disputing that there might be some underhand dealings by some Harare City Council officials," he said.

Mayor Mafume, when approached for comment, offered limited clarification.

"I think this is very clear: those with approved plans should come forward. We have been clear on that," he said.

Mafume declined to comment specifically on the legality of the St Martins housing scheme.

For residents who say they paid the council for their stands and invested years and substantial sums building their homes, the demolitions have now become a broader battle over property rights, due process and the accountability of local authorities.

The allegations of political interference remain unproven, but the controversy has intensified calls for the City of Harare to publicly explain the legal basis for the demolitions, identify the authority under which they were carried out and clarify how the operation complies with the existing High Court order.