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Demolition of illegal structures in Chitungwiza begins today amid reports that three more council officials have been suspended for unprocedural distribution of housing stands.
This will bring to four the officials suspended over the issue, while two others have resigned.
Town clerk Mr George Makunde yesterday met the land barons, who agreed to compensate the home seekers whom they “allocated” land illegally. Some of the land barons were given three days to demolish illegally-constructed incomplete houses.
Council tried to demolish the illegal structures last month but residents blocked the move.
Those already in finished houses have been given an eight-month grace period as Government and council find them alternative land.
More than 14 000 residential stands allocated to home-seekers in Chitungwiza Town and Manyame Rural District Council are illegal and the structures built on them face demolition.
Mr Makunde confirmed the suspension of three officials but declined to disclose their names.
“The suspension comes after we found enough evidence against them,” he said. “By engaging the land barons, we want to ensure that the demolitions are done in an amicable way and the situation is not blown out of proportion and they (land barons) have been co-operating.”
Mr Makunde said the land barons had agreed to compensate the victims.
“We visited most of the areas, together with the land barons . . . and we have given them time-lines. Some of them should have completed the demolitions in three days time,” he said.
“We have tasked the land barons to mobilise resources such that if land is identified they service the areas where the victims will move into.
“In the event that people continue with development on the illegal stands, then they will be arrested, together with their land barons.”
He said officials from the council’s urban planning department and municipal police would monitor progress on the sites daily.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Deputy Minister Joel Matiza said, “They (the demolitions) are definitely going to be done,” he said.
“What should be demolished are houses being built, not those that are complete with people living inside. Whatever is at foundation level or window level should be stopped so that people know that it is wrong.
Notices have already been given to those living in finished houses and we will avail an alternative place for them to go and build.”
Of the 14 00 stands to be demolished 8 260 are in Chitungwiza, while 6 200 are in Seke communal lands. Some of the stands were created on spaces reserved for clinics, churches, schools, cemeteries, recreational activities and roads, while others were created under high voltage electricity pylons.
In Seke rural, some people were allocated stands on grazing lands, wetlands, and other lands not suitable for housing.
An audit team recommended the arrest and prosecution of land barons who are mainly housing co-operatives, councillors and village heads after it emerged that they illegally sold 23 074 stands that did not belong to them, pocketing more than US$20 million.
Online Reporter