Herald Reporter
There was drama in Glen View, Harare, yesterday as residents reportedly resisted the demolition of their houses by council officials, standing in front of a front-end loader to block the operation.
However, Harare City immediately dismissed claims that council officials were blocked from destroying the structures, arguing that the residents’ representatives requested for a 14-day grace period to remove valuables from their homes.
But scores of residents singing and dancing thought they had scored victory when they saw council officials leaving.
There are 406 illegal structures that were supposed to be razed yesterday.
Mr Wurayayi Gwenere, one of the residents, said the structure they were living in was legal and approved by former town clerk, Dr Tendai Mahachi’s leadership.
“We came here as a union of four co-operatives – Family Home, Green Pastures, Irvin and Dare Rechimurenga,” he said.
“We were surprised when we received notices from council about three months ago. The council came this morning to demolish our houses, but we refused because we showed them the title deeds and have been working together with councillors like Mr Tungamirai Madzokere, he is aware of this whole situation,” said Mr Gwenere.
Another resident, Mr Edwin Chibanda, said they were devastated by council’s move and wanted to know the reason why their houses should be demolished.
“The former town clerk Dr Mahachi put a demarcation to mark the boundary between Ingwe Farm and us before he left office.
“Even the farm manager of Ingwe Farm knew about this development. If they are going to destroy our houses, they should do the same to their compound right next to us,” said Mr Chibanda.
“We are pleading with the council to spare us from this inhuman act.”
He said the area was well kept as the construction of sewage drainages was underway and were waiting for council to connect them to the main sewer system.
“We bought our stands from registered co-operatives but we are surprised that the council wants to demolish our houses in the rainy season, vana vedu vorara musango here?
“At least they should inform people before they build their houses. Right now we have been having sleepless nights as we believe council is moving around at night finding a strategy on how they should carry out the operation,” said Ms Martha Nyarota, another resident.
However, Harare City’s principal communication officer Mr Michael Chideme said residents had built the houses without council approval.
“Council was not barred from pulling down the illegal structures by the illegal settlers.
“The settlers requested for a 14-day waiver to allow them to move out on their own.
“Management agreed to the request, hence the demolitions were put on hold at Ingwe Farm.
“If the settlers do not move out within the requested 14 days, council will have no option but to pull down the structures,” he said.
Mr Chideme dismissed residents’ claims that the land was approved by former Town Clerk Dr Mahachi, saying the settlement was illegal and was not sanctioned by Council.