Epworth Local Board dismisses lawsuit

The Epworth Local Board has dismissed the compensation claim by six residents whose houses were demolished, claiming that the site they had occupied was reserved for industry.

Represented by Tawanda Zhuwara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the residents recently filed a joint $60,000 lawsuit at the Supreme Court, saying they were given no notice or warning and that ELB was being selective in applying its bylaws.

Peter Makana , Thomas Marumise, Goronga Nyagwete, Elliot Sithole, Clever Ngirazi and Rose Munava had their houses demolished in

September by ELB officials accompanied by heavily armed anti-riot police in a manner that they claim constituted inhuman and degrading treatment in violation of the Constitution.

The board claims: “The applicants were notified well before commencing construction that they could not build on a site reserved for industrial purposes. Meetings were held to this effect and they were notified that any attempt to construct a structure would be demolished. There was therefore no need to give any other notice as they were already informed of the consequences of not following laid procedures.”

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