Harare’s ‘cruel’ demolitions raise questions of humanity and accountability

The City of Harare’s recent demolition of dozens of houses in Ridgeview, Belvedere has left many families homeless and raised concerns about the handling of illegal settlements.

It has emerged that the demolitions were carried out without a court order.

The issue of illegal settlements in urban areas, especially Harare, is complex, with allegations of corruption and bribery involving land barons, council officials, and police officers.

It has become clear over the past two decades that many homeowners were unaware that their properties were built on illegally acquired land, and the demolitions have resulted in significant financial and emotional distress.

The issue was raised in Parliament on Tuesday with legislators questioning the city’s approach while highlighting the recommendations of Justice Uchena’s Commission, established in 2018 to address land-related problems.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the City of Harare, controlled by the opposition, must have a humane face and articulate the issues from a human rights perspective.

Ziyambi further highlighted that the demolitions were carried out without a court order.

“Everything that the Hon. Member has said falls squarely into the hands of the city authorities. They are the ones that have been allowing the buildings to be built.

“They are the ones that have demolished, you can go and check, they demolished without even a court order and we have also requested that this be investigated.

“They (Harare City officials) are the ones that have been allowing the buildings to be built. They are the ones that have demolished, you can go and check, they demolished without even a court order and we have also requested that this be investigated.

“Why wait until a house has been built and then you send bulldozers to destroy it? Some of the houses were beautiful structures and it is not even fair to those people.

“So, I believe it is a point of national interest but it is a point that our local authorities largely controlled by the opposition, must also have a humane face and be able to articulate some of these issues from a human rights perspective,” Ziyambi stated.

To address the issue, Budiriro South legislator Darlington Chigumbu has called for a holistic solution, including publishing Justice Uchena’s Commission Report to educate the public on illegal land dealings and prevent further victimisation.

He also called for the need for accountability and specialised land courts to tackle land disputes and land barons.

“Mr. Speaker, one of the recommendations that was made by the Commission was to suspend the allocation of land or housing stands on unserviced stands.

“The other recommendation was also to investigate all officers that are involved in parceling and regularising these spaces,” Chigumbu stated.

“The other important recommendation that was made Mr. Speaker, was to introduce specialised land courts to deal with land disputes and land barons.

“The reason why I am rising to give this point of national interest Mr. Speaker, is that we are seeing people building houses on pieces of land where houses should not be built or that would have been acquired through means that are not legal.

“We have enforcement agencies that are supposed to be monitoring all these activities.

“They are casting blind eyes to these developments but they will then come when people have finished building and then demolish. Imagine the loss that we are getting into as a country, Mr. Speaker Sir.

“We are experiencing energy issues, people buy raw materials to build their houses and the next thing they are demolished.”

Former cabinet Minister Fortune Chasi described the city’s approach as “crass insensitivity and cruelty”.

“The mayor of Harare is a lawyer. A registered and practising one. The demolitions in Belvedere could not have happened without his authority, let alone knowledge.

“Apparently, there was no court order. How can that be? There should be consequences for this crass insensitivity and cruelty,” Chasi said.

Director of Planning Samuel Nyabeza recently defended the demolitions, stating that the city would intensify efforts to restore order and ensure that all buildings have council-approved plans and amenities. He warned land barons that they would be arrested “without fear or favour.”