Government launches investigation into illegal house demolitions in Harare! Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced on Tuesday that the Zimbabwean government is launching an investigation into the recent demolitions of homes in Harare, carried out by the City Council, which is predominantly controlled by the opposition.
These demolitions were allegedly conducted without a court order, prompting widespread backlash and raising questions about accountability within local government.
Government Denies Involvement in Demolitions
The minister clarified that the central government had no role in the demolitions, which reportedly took place without official authorization from the courts.
Responding to inquiries from Parliament, Ziyambi noted that the Harare Municipality undertook these actions independently, stating, “In fact, it is the Municipality of Harare that demolished the houses without a court order.”
Ziyambi’s comments pointed to city authorities as solely responsible for both permitting the original construction and later demolishing the structures. He emphasized that the issue was under review, stating, “We have also requested that this be investigated.”
Questioning the Timing and Rationale for Demolitions
Members of Parliament, along with Ziyambi, expressed concerns over why authorities allowed these structures to reach completion before acting. Many of the demolished buildings were high-quality residences, and the minister questioned the lack of foresight in addressing unauthorized construction earlier in the process.
“Why wait until a house has been built and then you send bulldozers to destroy it?” he asked, further noting, “Some of the houses were beautiful structures, and it is not even fair to those people.”
The demolitions have sparked debate about the need for a more humane and preventative approach to managing illegal land use and construction. Ziyambi argued that while enforcing the law is critical, local authorities should consider the human impact of their decisions, particularly when large structures are involved.
Background on Illegal Land Allocation and Construction
The controversy stems from long-standing issues with illegal land allocations in Harare, particularly in the Belvedere area.
The City Council highlighted unauthorized developments in Ridgeview, an area designated for residential use as far back as 2002. Despite the Council’s official ownership of the land and prior approvals for residential development, parts of the land remain unserviced and lack basic infrastructure, such as water, sewer systems, and drainage.
The unapproved developments on this land began when Brickstone Builders and Contractors, a private company, allegedly occupied 15 residential stands without Council consent. The company subsequently started constructing buildings despite warnings from the City Council and the lack of necessary amenities.
The Role of Brickstone Builders and Alleged Fraud
Brickstone Builders claimed to have obtained a land allocation letter from the Ministry of Local Government, but the Ministry disavowed the document, calling it fraudulent.
In 2022, the Harare City Council met with Brickstone Builders to outline the legal requirements for acquiring land, but construction resumed by mid-2023.
As a result of this defiance, the Council issued a 48-hour notice for the company to cease construction. Despite this, Brickstone Builders secured a court interdict, allegedly based on the forged Ministry document, allowing them to continue building.
However, when the company disregarded even the interdict’s limitations, the City of Harare moved forward with demolishing 30 of the illegal structures.
Legal Challenges and Further Action
The City Council’s demolition efforts were only partially successful due to the interdict. The council demolished 30 structures but left three remaining, which were explicitly covered by the court’s order. Council officials stated that they plan to pursue additional legal actions to address these remaining structures and bring a conclusive end to unauthorized development on the disputed land.
In a statement, the City of Harare emphasized that the affected land was intended for residential use with proper municipal approval. However, as the council explained, its goal is to ensure that development occurs in compliance with municipal guidelines and that all constructions meet legal standards and health requirements.
Public Response and Political Implications
The demolitions have intensified scrutiny of the opposition-led council’s handling of urban planning and land allocation in Harare. The government’s intervention signals a likely tightening of oversight on local councils in response to increased reports of illegal land deals and unauthorized developments.
Minister Ziyambi echoed the call for local authorities to uphold a “humane face” in managing development issues, urging a stronger human rights perspective in these matters. The opposition-dominated City Council, meanwhile, faces mounting pressure to justify its decisions and maintain transparency in its urban management policies.
Conclusion
The investigation into these demolitions is expected to reveal more details about the actions taken by the Harare City Council and whether due process was followed. Both the government and city authorities have acknowledged the need to address illegal construction early in the process to avoid harming residents who invest in these properties. In the meantime, residents, activists, and lawmakers are watching closely as the case unfolds, signaling a potential turning point in Zimbabwe’s approach to land allocation and urban planning.
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