News / National
Harare City Council remains silent on Donnybrook land dispute
29 May 2025 at 10:13hrs | Views
A bitter land ownership dispute between two developers, Shelter Zimbabwe and Highserv Payscheme, has thrown residents of the Donnybrook-Chizhanje area in Mabvuku into turmoil, with the Harare City Council's continued silence leaving many fearing the loss of their homes.
At the centre of the controversy are residential stands valued between US$11,000 and US$14,000, which were sold to unsuspecting home seekers by Highserv Payscheme. Shelter Zimbabwe, however, claims it is the rightful owner of the land and last week issued eviction notices to current occupants, insisting that their occupation is illegal.
"Notice is hereby given to all individuals currently occupying land at Donnybrook, Chizhanje without agreement with Shelter Zimbabwe that your occupation is illegal," reads part of the notice issued by Shelter Zimbabwe. "This land was allocated to Shelter Zimbabwe by the City of Harare and we are the rightful holders of it."
The company claims to have obtained a court order authorising the eviction of illegal occupants and the demolition of any unauthorised structures. Residents were given a stark ultimatum: either purchase the land from Shelter Zimbabwe or vacate it by May 31, 2025 - or face demolitions.
In response, Highserv Payscheme issued a firm rebuttal, stating it had legally taken over the land after Harare City Council terminated its lease agreement with Shelter Zimbabwe in November 2021.
"We wish to categorically put it on firm ground that all Highserv home owners should not panic, let alone be destabilised by such notice, as the land belongs to Highserv, having acquired it lawfully from Harare City Council," Highserv said in a statement.
"Harare City Council formally terminated the lease they had with Shelter Zimbabwe on November 1, 2021, and there has been nothing that resuscitated the same."
Residents now find themselves caught in the crossfire, unsure of which developer holds legitimate title to the land. With less than three days before Shelter Zimbabwe's May 31 deadline, anxiety continues to mount.
Efforts to get clarity from the City of Harare have been unsuccessful. Mayor Jacob Mafume directed questions to council spokesperson Mr Stanley Gama for an official position from the housing department. However, more than a week has passed since the developers issued their conflicting claims, and the City Council has yet to make a public statement.
The continued silence from municipal authorities has deepened confusion, with residents pleading for immediate intervention to prevent potential evictions and demolitions.
"We invested our savings in these stands. Now we don't even know who owns the land," said one affected homeowner. "We just want the truth and protection from the authorities."
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are now on the Harare City Council to break its silence and provide much-needed clarity on the ownership status of the contested land.
At the centre of the controversy are residential stands valued between US$11,000 and US$14,000, which were sold to unsuspecting home seekers by Highserv Payscheme. Shelter Zimbabwe, however, claims it is the rightful owner of the land and last week issued eviction notices to current occupants, insisting that their occupation is illegal.
"Notice is hereby given to all individuals currently occupying land at Donnybrook, Chizhanje without agreement with Shelter Zimbabwe that your occupation is illegal," reads part of the notice issued by Shelter Zimbabwe. "This land was allocated to Shelter Zimbabwe by the City of Harare and we are the rightful holders of it."
The company claims to have obtained a court order authorising the eviction of illegal occupants and the demolition of any unauthorised structures. Residents were given a stark ultimatum: either purchase the land from Shelter Zimbabwe or vacate it by May 31, 2025 - or face demolitions.
In response, Highserv Payscheme issued a firm rebuttal, stating it had legally taken over the land after Harare City Council terminated its lease agreement with Shelter Zimbabwe in November 2021.
"We wish to categorically put it on firm ground that all Highserv home owners should not panic, let alone be destabilised by such notice, as the land belongs to Highserv, having acquired it lawfully from Harare City Council," Highserv said in a statement.
Residents now find themselves caught in the crossfire, unsure of which developer holds legitimate title to the land. With less than three days before Shelter Zimbabwe's May 31 deadline, anxiety continues to mount.
Efforts to get clarity from the City of Harare have been unsuccessful. Mayor Jacob Mafume directed questions to council spokesperson Mr Stanley Gama for an official position from the housing department. However, more than a week has passed since the developers issued their conflicting claims, and the City Council has yet to make a public statement.
The continued silence from municipal authorities has deepened confusion, with residents pleading for immediate intervention to prevent potential evictions and demolitions.
"We invested our savings in these stands. Now we don't even know who owns the land," said one affected homeowner. "We just want the truth and protection from the authorities."
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are now on the Harare City Council to break its silence and provide much-needed clarity on the ownership status of the contested land.
Source - The Herald
