Some 14,000 houses will be demolished if the High Court gives the nod to an application of appeal made by the local authority against an earlier Chitungwiza Magistrates Court ruling against the demolitions. Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa ruled that demolitions would be unconstitutional.
Job Sikhala, the former MDC Member of Parliament for St Mary’s, said Zanu (PF) had embarked on its 2018 election campaign already. He said their plan was to terrify targeted families with the threat of demolition to force them to plead with President Robert Mugabe for mercy, and then vote him in return.
“Mark my words. No massive demolition will take place in Chitungwiza or Seke. Zanu (PF) want to sway 2018 votes in its favour through fear,” said Sikhala, noting that targeted families would be ‘forgiven’ by Mugabe towards election time.
But Tinashe Kazuru, secretary for the Chitungwiza Residents Trust, said they were taking the demolitions threat seriously and did not consider it a political gimmick.
“Since Chitungwiza took the demolitions case to the High Court, CHITRUST will rise to the challenge and make counter submissions to the courts,” said Kazuru. He said residents remained hopeful that they would win the case as the courts were keen to respect the constitution, which is clear about the issue of shelter.
Rejoice Ngwenya, a political analyst, said the demolition issue simply reflected Chitungwiza’s willingness to uphold its by-laws. “There is no visible politicking in this issue. I am seeing some houses being regularised while those constructed in unsuitable areas are to be demolished.
“I do not think the higher courts would sanction any blanket demolitions, since I doubt if any house was built in a toxic place,” Ngwenya said.
Ignatius Chombo, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, said the demolitions were in the interest of the affected families, as their houses were built illegally in dangerous areas.
“What human rights are there when people settle where they are exposed to danger?” Chombo asked residents in Chitungwiza recently. Some of the houses were built under electricity pylons and on top of sewer pipes, where residents risk getting water borne diseases.
Chombo insisted that government would go ahead with the demolitions in order to address the situation.
In April the courts gave Chitungwiza Municipality an interdict to stop land barons, among them Fredrick Mabamba of United We Stand Co-operative, from parcelling out stands, approving housing plans, inspecting buildings and collecting revenue.
The Mayor, Philip Mutoti, said the intended demolitions were not of his making but were in line with council policy to bring sanity to the town.
Post published in: News