News / National
Borrowdale squatter camps outgrow HCC's capacity
09 Sep 2026 at 07:02hrs |
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WARD 18 Councillor Rufaro Matsika says the proliferation of squatter camps in Borrowdale has outgrown the capacity of the local authority, requiring a coordinated national response to address the growing number of families living in informal settlements.
Matsika said the ward intends to engage social security, welfare and social services authorities to develop longer-term solutions for families living in the settlements.
She said any intervention should address both housing and livelihoods, warning that simply relocating families without providing sustainable means of earning a living could result in them returning to informal settlements.
"Squatter camps in our ward in Borrowdale now need attention not at ward level but maybe at national level," Matsika said.
She said some families could be relocated to more suitable areas, while those who are able to return to their rural communities could be assisted to do so and supported to establish sustainable livelihoods.
Matsika said the approach should therefore go beyond determining where affected families would live and focus on how they would sustain themselves after relocation.
The councillor also urged Borrowdale residents to take a more active role in addressing challenges affecting their communities instead of limiting their participation to criticism on social media.
"Not to just be keyboard warriors but also be participating residents," she said.
She said a collaborative approach involving residents, local authorities and national Government would be critical to finding lasting solutions to the informal settlements.
Matsika said the ward intends to engage social security, welfare and social services authorities to develop longer-term solutions for families living in the settlements.
She said any intervention should address both housing and livelihoods, warning that simply relocating families without providing sustainable means of earning a living could result in them returning to informal settlements.
"Squatter camps in our ward in Borrowdale now need attention not at ward level but maybe at national level," Matsika said.
She said some families could be relocated to more suitable areas, while those who are able to return to their rural communities could be assisted to do so and supported to establish sustainable livelihoods.
Matsika said the approach should therefore go beyond determining where affected families would live and focus on how they would sustain themselves after relocation.
The councillor also urged Borrowdale residents to take a more active role in addressing challenges affecting their communities instead of limiting their participation to criticism on social media.
"Not to just be keyboard warriors but also be participating residents," she said.
She said a collaborative approach involving residents, local authorities and national Government would be critical to finding lasting solutions to the informal settlements.
Source - ZiFM Stereo
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