The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has strongly condemned the ongoing mass evictions taking place across the country, calling them “inhumane” and “devastating”, adding that colonial era frameworks are being used to carry out the operation.
The ZCC expressed deep concern about the legality and timing of the evictions, which have left thousands of Zimbabweans homeless and vulnerable amidst a multitude of national crises.
In a statement released on Sunday, the ZCC highlighted the moral and ethical obligation of the Church to speak on behalf of the marginalized and voiceless.
Citing scripture, the ZCC emphasized the importance of assisting the poor, vulnerable, and homeless, and condemned the evictions as a violation of these principles.
The statement criticized the government’s use of colonial-era laws to justify the evictions, arguing that these laws can not be applied to the same people who fought for independence from colonial rule.
The ZCC further questioned the transparency and adherence to due process in the eviction procedures, particularly concerning Section 74 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which safeguards against arbitrary evictions.
“The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) condemns these mass land evictions and destruction of people’s property that have left thousands of Zimbabweans homeless and made dispossessed Zimbabweans even more vulnerable,” ZCC noted.
The ZCC expressed particular concern about the timing of the evictions, coinciding with the planting season and a critical period in the fight against the cholera outbreak.
The evictions, the ZCC argued, leave affected communities even more susceptible to hunger, disease, and other hardships.
The statement called on the government to immediately halt the evictions and implement a clear roadmap for regularizing the situation of those in illegal settlements.
The ZCC urged the government to utilize the existing land redistribution program to resettle affected individuals and establish a comprehensive response program to address the immediate needs of those already evicted, including temporary shelter, sanitation, and psycho-social support.
“The legal framework being used for these evictions originates from the colonial era when the colonial government prevented the local people from owning land. The same laws can not be applied to the very same people who fought for independence,” the churches said.
The ZCC’s condemnation of the evictions adds to the growing chorus of criticism against the government’s handling of the issue.
The evictions have sparked protests and drawn condemnation from human rights groups, who have called for a more humane and rights-based approach to addressing the issue of illegal settlements.
Some of the victims have since dragged the government to court over the issue.
