Close to 76 families whose houses were demolished by the city council, registered their agony to the city Mayor, Bernard Manyenyeni and have called for compensation amid revelations that they are currently staying in the open.
This follows a second wave of demolitions which hit Budiriro surburb on Wednesday last week. The 14 houses that were demolished on September 30 are part of the 76 households that were previously demolished by the city of Harare.
In an interview with 263chat, Dominic Shuche, the Vice chairperson of Tembwe Housing Cooperative demanded compensation from the city council.
Hakuna mabasa uye hatichina mari yekuti tingavaka dzimwe dzimba naizvozvo tiri kuti kanzuru ngaitipe mari irimaringe nedzimba dzatanga tavaka. (There are no jobs and we do not have funds to construct other houses hence we need compensation from the City Council)
“We call upon the council to give us back our land as the demolitions were illegal, the demolitions were done without a court order and we deem that to be illegal,” said Shuche adding that Council is obliged to construct houses for them.
Ellen Chinorumba, another member of the Tembwe housing cooperative told this reporter that she is in dire need of an alternative shelter as she is currently staying in the open.
“My family is currently living in an open space and we no longer have our privacy as we are exposed to all those who pass-by.
“We need relief shelter urgently,” Chinoruma told the mayor during a meeting between the mayor and residents.
Emotions were high during the meeting with residents like Ellen Chinorumba shedding tears.
The meeting was facilitated by Combined Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA) on Friday.
Meanwhile Civil society organizations including CHRA, Chitungwiza Residents trust, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition among others have demanded an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the demolishing of houses in Harare without following the procedure and in violation of the supreme law of the land.
CHRA boss, Mfundi Mlilo urged Council to provide relief shelter to victims who are currently living in the open.
“The city of Harare must immediately find alternative housing and shelter for the affected households. Families with children, the terminally ill, those living with HIV and with disability as well as the elderly are currently living in the open,” he said.
He added that the city has a constitutional obligation to find alternative land to resettle these people.
Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni has promised to look into the issue and he also acknowledged the indiscretions that marred the wave of demolitions that’s hit Budiriro.
He said that the demolitions clearly shows that council is conflicting itself.
“It does not make sense for council to be issuing those stands and then later on conduct these house demolitions,” said Manyenyeni.
Mayor Manyenyeni promised residents a ruling that will see them being restored their land
