The application follows the recent demolition of houses despite the local authority’s assurances that the ‘illegal’ structures would be regularised.
Chitungwiza had previously promised alternative shelter for targeted households in the event that their houses were pulled down.
“We filed an urgent Chamber application yesterday and hope that the courts would stop the illegal demolitions,” Marvellous Khumalo, CHITREST programs officer told a media briefing in Harare today.
Dozens of houses and business structures were demolished last Friday night by the Chitungwiza Council without a court order or notice to targeted families.
The demolitions which spread to Epworth provoked public outrage which forced various Residents Trusts to join forces and petition President Robert Mugabe and Police Commissioner General, Augustine Chihuri to intervene.
Speaking at the Press Conference, Simbarashe Moyo, chairperson Combined Harare Residents Association, said residents were deeply concerned with the ongoing demolitions carried out in violation of the constitution.
“We are petitioning the Head of State, President Robert Mugabe to defend the constitution and people’s right to shelter.
“As residents we have already reported to the police (case number RRB2193402) and petitioned Police Commissioner General, Augustine Chihuri to arrest perpetrators of the demolitions,” said Moyo, threatening to mobilise residents’ resistance if the state fails to reign in the perpetrators.
The Bill of Rights in Chapter 4 of the constitution states that citizens have the right to freedom from arbitrary eviction.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committees for Local Government, Justice and Legal Affairs and that for Legal Affairs, Moyo said, would be engaged to help stop the demolitions.
The Portfolio Committee for Human Rights will also be served with the same.
Residents at the media briefing called on Zimbabweans to rise and fight government insensitiveness.
“Let’s stand up and express our anger at the government ruthlessness against the poor,” said a resident whose property was demolished without notice.
Post published in: News