Staff Reporter
Zimbabweans have castigated Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume and the city’s Head of Planning Samuel Nyabeza for what they termed a catastrophic failure in city planning, following the recent demolitions of houses in Belvedere and Ridgeview by the Harare City Council.
The demolitions were carried out on the grounds that the properties were constructed on illegal or improperly acquired land.
The outcry, however, has sparked fierce condemnation, with affected residents and the general public labelling the move as inhumane and ill-timed.
Residents and other Zimbabweans who spoke to this publication did not hold back their disapproval, criticising the council for allegedly waiting until structures were fully built and owners moved in before swooping in to tear them down.
The demolished properties, which represented the lifetime savings of many homeowners, have left numerous families destitute and shattered.
“This was devilish and cruel. These homes were built with the sweat and toil of hard-working citizens. To come now and destroy them in such a heartless manner shows that the city authorities are sleeping on the job. Where were they when the construction began? How can they sit by and only move in to act when the damage has been done?” said Tatenda Chikowore, a Belvedere resident who witnessed the demolitions.
Chikowore’s sentiments were echoed by Memory Ncube, a Ridgeview homeowner who lost her house.
“What Mafume and Nyabeza have allowed to happen is an abomination. My family is now homeless because of their incompetence and lack of oversight. They cannot shift blame or hide behind legalities when their failure to monitor and enforce city planning regulations is evident,” said Ncube.
Social activist Lovemore Moyo also condemned the demolitions and called for accountability.
“This is a perfect example of failed leadership. City planning is supposed to ensure order and protect citizens from such chaos. Instead, the council let corruption and irregularities fester, only to turn around and punish the victims. Both Mafume and Nyabeza should be held to account for their dereliction of duty,” said Moyo.
The demolitions have exposed long-standing issues with the allocation and approval of residential land in Harare.
Many of the stands in question were reportedly sold or approved under questionable circumstances, often involving corrupt city officials who preyed on desperate home-seekers.
Critics have urged the government to step in and regulate land allocations more stringently to ensure transparency and protect citizens from having their properties demolished.
Calls are mounting for a comprehensive review of Harare City Council’s land allocation practices, as well as decisive measures against the rampant corruption that has characterised this sector for years.
