Hosia Mviringi
In a development set to bring relief to home owners supposed to be affected by the ongoing demolitions, ruling ZANU PF has instructed all local authorities to halt all earmarked and ongoing housing demolitions pending stakeholder consultations to map way forward.
This was revealed at an urgent press briefing this afternoon by the party Secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu after an intense closed door meeting with responsible Ministers Honourable Daniel Garwe, National Housing and Social Amenities together with his deputy Honourable Yeukai Simbanegavi.
Local Government Minister Honourable July Moyo did not manage to attend but he attended via telephone and agreed to be bound by the meeting’s resolutions.
“We make this statement having summoned the two Ministers from Government responsible for urban land management and development as well as the Ministry responsible for National Housing, Cde July Moyo and Cde Daniel Garwe.
We put it for the record that Cde Daniel Garwe, Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities came for the meeting while Cde July Moyo was spoken to over the phone and was agreeable to the outcomes of this meeting. The party has been very concerned about the inhuman ongoing demolitions of houses alleged to be illegal,” said Cde Mpofu.
Cde Mpofu expressed deep concern at the ongoing demolition activities on Mashonaland East Melfort area and parts of Harare which he said had caused unwarranted loss of the habitation and income for affected families.
He further affirmed the position of the Party President and First Secretary, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the entire party leadership as respectors of the right to shelter human dignity.
“The party and its President and First Secretary, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, as well as the entirety of the party 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 associated challenges are in motion.”
The party has warned before and continues to warn those individuals and groups of people engaging in land baron activities such as parceling out state and council land without authority to stop immediately.
He emphasised the party’s call to the law enforcement authorities to apply themselves strongly to bring such culprits to book.
Mr Roger Pote, Aurther Chidenhe and Life Majingura of Virtage Properties and Eastwinds Association fraudulently acquired a development permit which they then used to dupe unsuspecting homes seekers, a position which was confirmed in court on December 4, 2020.
The court determination thus nullifies all activities done under or on behalf of the so-called developers making the settlement illegal.
Cde Mpofu however, said that the party stands supportive of the ongoing regularisation programmes of residential stands being undertaken by the Ministry of Housing and Social Amenities across the nation to mitigate shortage of housing.
The party promised to convene an all stakeholders meeting soon to deliberate on similar matters in affected areas.
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