Benita Gonese was part of the homeless community cramped together at Mushando Bar in Sakubva High Density suburb after they were rendered destitute by the government’s urban “clean-up” operation.
During their eight years living at the bar, the families were subject to inhuman living conditions and threats by the Mutare City Council which, on several occasions, tried to evict them. But thanks to Gonese, the families are now proud owners of three-bedroomed houses in Dreamhouse High Density suburb donated by the Norwegian Refugee Council and the International Organisation for Migration last November.
Gonese told The Zimbabwean about the challenging journey she had to go through in her quest for decent shelter for her homeless community. Following the eviction attempt by the City Council, she sought the assistance of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
On March 22, the Magistrate’s Court ruled that the council had no authority to evict the families without offering them alternative accommodation.
“I was very grateful to ZLHR, especially Blessing Nyamaropa, because we are unemployed and there was no way could have gone with the case considering our financial background,” said Gonese.
Luck almost came their way when Mutare-Harlem bought stands for them which they were shown at an event graced by suspended mayor James Brian, but the council later backtracked and professed ignorance about the issue, Gonese said.
“Spending eight years in a bar with more than 19 families is not a joke. The living conditions were inhuman. It took a foreign NGO to come to our rescue. It is just sad that I cannot share this joy with some of our neighbours who died during our stay at Mushando,” she added.
Gonese is now the regional secretary for the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations, a brainchild of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Trade Unions formed in 2004.
Post published in: News