Harare faces a looming showdown as the city council prepares to demolish 5,000 homes deemed illegally constructed on land reserved for public services. The move, described as a measure to restore order, has sparked heated disagreements between city officials and the national government.
The targeted properties, primarily in high-density suburbs like Kuwadzana, Budiriro, Glen View, and Mabvuku, occupy land initially intended for schools, clinics, and recreational facilities. Mayor Jacob Mafume has defended the planned demolitions, pointing to 37 court orders and longstanding legal obligations that have been stalled due to political interference.
“We cannot keep turning a blind eye,” said Mafume. “The city relies on law enforcement to function, and neglecting it creates chaos. It’s an addiction worse than drug abuse.”
Mafume emphasized how land barons exploit delays, constructing homes at lightning speed using modern techniques. “In a weekend, you’ll see a three-bedroom house where there was nothing before,” he remarked, underscoring how this complicates legal interventions once these makeshift structures are occupied.
Meanwhile, Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe has categorically rejected the council’s plans, stating, “There are no demolitions that are going to take place. We’ve issued a blanket ban.”
The clash has highlighted systemic failures in Harare’s urban management. Earlier this year, over 30 homes in the Belvedere area were demolished after being built on council-owned land fraudulently allocated by private entities. The operation triggered public outrage, with residents blaming the council for exacerbating the housing crisis by delaying action.
Adding to the chaos, a Commission of Inquiry has revealed widespread corruption in Harare’s land allocation. Evidence presented to the commission pointed to collusion between opposition councillors and land barons, who have undermined the city’s housing department. According to testimony, councillors commandeered land distribution under the guise of regularization, granting stands to private entities without oversight.
The situation paints a grim picture of Harare’s urban governance, where unauthorized developments thrive amid political power struggles. While the council and government remain at odds, thousands of families face an uncertain future, caught in the crossfire of legal battles and policy failures.
