VICTORIA FALLS - Hundreds were left homeless here during the holiday period when the town council and the Zimbabwe Republic Police destroyed more than a hundred unlicensed houses.The Minister of National Housing, Fidelis Mhashu has said that the Victoria Falls town council acted without his knowledge and ministerial approval. Mhashu said it was disturbing that some town council officials were inconsiderate of the plight of residents.
He said he could not understand why the Victoria Town Council had embarked on such a destructive programme when the government was working desperately to secure enough houses for all Zimbabweans.
This action is not a directive from government because my ministry did not issue any instruction ordering them to destroy all houses that were not licensed. What the council is doing is against our plans and objectives and we discourage and condemn such actions, said Mhashu.
He said the era of Murambatsvina lapsed in 2005 and no one has the authority to continue destroying residents houses because of their appearance.
The policy is clear, if there are any houses that are below required standards, the responsible authorities should first build proper ones and then allocate them to the needy residents before destroying their shelter, he said.
Contacted for comment the Victoria Falls Town Mayor, Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyani, defended the stance by his council arguing that residents were given enough grace period to clear all unfit houses and build standard ones.
Actually we are really surprised by the residents who are complaining about the clean up. People were given stands and were expected to develop and build them over a certain period but surprisingly some did well and others havent done anything. Before we launched our operation we even advised them to put down their shacks. A number complied and a certain figure did not and as result we resorted to force, said Jiyani.
He said the move was meant to bring sanity in the resort town, which he said was the best place for tourist and visitors.
As you are aware that Victoria Falls is a resort town, cleanliness is supposed to be maintained so that when foreigners come they are not discouraged by some funny houses. Besides we want to build a good image of our country, he said.
However, Mhashu said he was working on the issue and towns such as Victoria Falls were the ministrys first priorities in the five-year housing plan.
Their operation was done at a critical time, the rains are upon us and when you destroy someones house during this season it means a double blow. Many are complaining about their property which was destroyed and this is not good to struggling residents, said Mhashu.
The operation comes after the recent housing convention, which was held in the resort town.
You will remember that there was a housing convention held in Victoria Falls. So when the town council starts destroying houses, a negative message is going to be sent to foreigners who will start thinking that Zimbabwe is not a safe place to visit, said Mhashu.
He encouraged residents to develop their stands to assist the local authorities bring sanity and cleanliness in big cities and towns.
Post published in: News