The demolitions follow a visit to Chitungwiza council offices by Minister for Local Government and Public Works, Ignatius Chombo, yesterday.
Town Mayor, Philip Mutoti, told The Zimbabwean in a telephone interview that the demolitions had commenced as per recommendations made by Chombo’s investigations committee.
The committee report was adopted by the local authority on January 16, 2014.
Protesting residence barred the driver of a hired Zim Slate JCB excavator from pulling down other targeted houses.
To avoid instant justice from angry protestors, the JCB operator loaded the demolition equipment into a truck and left the scene.
Chitungwiza Residents Trust has condemned the demolitions being done during the rainy season and without alternative shelter being offered to the affected families.
“In light of these barbaric, horrendous, inhuman and illegal house demolitions, we demand that Mutoti and his council management resign from their posts. They have failed poor residents in this hour of need,” said CHITREST in a statement.
Town Clerk, George Makunde, could not be reached for a comment as he was reportedly away on leave.
Thousands of houses built outside laws of the local authority face demolition.
Post published in: News