Political Reporter
In a scathing critique posted on X yesterday, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa strongly condemned the Harare City Council's ongoing demolitions of people's homes, describing the actions as "criminal, sadistic, and inhumane."
Chamisa's remarks come amid widespread public outcry over the destruction of homes in several residential areas across the capital.
“I wish to state the following for the record; as a human rights defender, a justice champion, and a consummate constitutionalist, I strongly condemn the destruction of people’s homes. Using bulldozers to erase lives and livelihoods is criminal, sadistic, and inhumane,” Chamisa declared in his post.
The demolitions, carried out under the CCC-led council, have drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, with Chamisa describing them as evidence of "a systemic leadership failure and a mockery of human rights."
The leader also called for attention to deep-seated issues of corruption and mismanagement within local councils.
"Corruption, maladministration, and bad governance are eroding our towns, cities, and country. These cancers must be rooted out. Local governance has become a theatre of incompetence and impunity. It is a crisis compounded by a small grouping that weaponises enquiries to distract from its dire failures. It is time to hold accountable those truly responsible for this decay," Chamisa wrote.
Meanwhile, Government has stepped in to halt the demolitions, ordering the regularisation of all affected residential areas.
Authorities emphasised the need for fair and systematic planning to avoid further humanitarian crises.
On several occasions, Government officials have accused opposition-led councils of fostering corruption and maladministration, which they argue has hindered development and compromised service delivery.
The demolitions, described by many as an assault on vulnerable communities, have highlighted the deep divisions and governance challenges facing the nation’s urban centres.
The demolitions have not only exposed governance failures within the CCC-led Harare City Council but also intensified scrutiny on the broader systemic challenges facing local government in Zimbabwe.
As residents grapple with the aftermath of losing their homes and livelihoods, the urgent need for transparent leadership, accountability, and effective service delivery in Harare has become more pressing than ever.
