The government has condemned Harare City Council’s recent demolitions of houses in Ridgeview Belvedere, calling the actions cruel and inhumane.
Over the past two weeks, the council has torn down about 30 houses, saying they were built illegally without proper permits. However, the government criticized the council for demolishing homes without a court order and has launched an investigation.
The council claims the land is legally theirs and intended for housing. Before it could formally allocate the plots, a company allegedly led a group that set up temporary shelters on 15 plots, though the land lacked necessary infrastructure like water and sewage.
ALSO READ: ZRP Investigates Car Theft After US$17,000 Stolen in Avondale
In Parliament, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi expressed shock over the demolitions, stating the government was not involved and questioning why the council allowed homes to be fully built before destroying them. He called for a more compassionate approach.
Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe also criticized the council for acting without ministry consultation and instructed them to stop demolitions. He emphasized that while people have a right to housing, construction must follow legal processes.
Local residents expressed anger, with some accusing the council of double standards for allowing construction in environmentally sensitive areas while demolishing homes in residential zones.
