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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsDesperate home seekers being illegally settled in Epworth 

Desperate home seekers being illegally settled in Epworth 

Desperate home seekers in Epworth are being illegally settled by a group of people aligned to the MDC-T.

Didymus Bande, who is the former MDC-T councilor for Ward 4 in Epworth, is spearheading the illegal distribution

This comes at a time when the nation is hard hit by corruption. The skyrocketing levels of corruption have seen the emergence of illegal methods for survival.  Calls to end corruption by the President have proved effortless as backyard trading has proved uncontrollable.

Many desperate home seekers are being duped millions of dollars as they desperately search for a place called home.

Epworth 2A visit to one of the country’s shanty settlements by 263Chat confirmed that corruption is at its peak as evidenced by the illegal land distribution that has hit Epworth.

Investigations carried out have shown that a group aligned to the MDC-T has invaded land meant for of small to medium enterprises stands.

More than 100 illegal structures have been erected on the land that was meant for industrial development and these structures continue to grow on a daily basis.

The illegally settled people are engaging in fast- track construction of make shift houses as a way to escape eviction.

Scores of Epworth residents who spoke to this reporter heavily condemned this illegal distribution of land.

Emirates

“This is absurd; no rational person would distribute land that is meant for industries. Industries have a huge impact on the development of the country and if the land is meant for industries it should be used accordingly.’’ said Allan Jackson.

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Another resident who identified herself as Mai Phiri divulged the stands are being nicodemusly issued out.

“The criteria for this illegal land distribution is best known to the distributors themselves and it is being carried during the night. We condemn such malicious moves by individuals who abuse public resources for personal gains,” said Mai Phiri.

Chairman of the local Board, Councilor Tafireyi Murambidzi, blasted the former councilor claiming that he has always been corrupt.

“It’s not the first time he has squandered money from the people. It’s crystal clear that these people have misused funds and they now try to justify this by settling people on illegal land.

“All my efforts to stop people from constructing structures have proved effortless,” said Murambidzi.

Murambidzi also lambasted the police for failing to effectively carry out their duties.

“We have taken the matter to the police and it seems as if the police are also benefiting from these stands as they are reluctant to chase people who have settled on industrial stands,” said Murambidzi.

Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2012 – 2015 Report identified the provision of decent housing as one of the basic rights of all Zimbabweans.  According to the report the current housing backlog of over 2 million people on waiting lists and limited budgetary resources has resulted in substandard housing, especially within cities.

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Journalist based in Harare

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