Staff Reporter

The ruling party, Zanu-PF, has described the ongoing urban and peri-urban demolitions as inhumane and has implored responsible authorities to stop them immediately, while they engage Government and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the matter.

Addressing a Press Conference at the Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare yesterday, Zanu-PF Secretary for Adminstration Cde Obert Mpofu warned individuals who continue to engage in land baron activities, saying the law will not hesitate to take its course.

“The party has been very concerned about the inhumane ongoing demolition of houses alleged to be illegal. As you are aware colleagues, there has been ongoing demolitions in Mashonaland East Province, Melfort area, in the past week and other parts of Harare which have led to unwarranted loss of shelter and income to the affected families.

“The party and its President, the First Secretary Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa as well as the entirety of the leadership uphold the right to shelter and human dignity. As such, the current wanton demolitions in urban and peri-urban areas must stop forthwith, while processes to resolve the associated challenges are in motion,” said Cde Mpofu.

Cde Mfopu said the party has warned and continue to warn individuals engaging in land baron activities which involve the illegal parcelling out of State land and council land without authority.

Cde Mpofu said the party was informed that the Developers for the Melfort area, Mr Rodgers Pote, Aurther Chidenhe and Life Machingwa of Vintage properties and Eastwinds Association, fraudulently acquired a development permit and this position was affirmed by the Court on 4 December 2020. This, Cde Mpofu said then nullified all the activities which were done under this developer.

Meanwhile, Cde Mpofu said the party stands supportive of the ongoing regularization programme of residential stands, being undertaken by the Ministry of Housing across the nation to mitigate housing shortages. He added that an all stakeholders meeting will be convened soon to discuss similar matters in areas affected.

A few months ago the Government had to intervene, stopping demolition of over 11 000 illegal settlements in Chitungwiza where MDC-Alliance councillors and management were selling land illegally to desperate home seekers, a move which caused sprouting of houses all over the town.