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Vivandelphi Court in Eastlea.
Council argues that conditions at the block of flats do not conform to public health by-laws.
The block of flats is among the 10 city high-rise buildings recently condemned as unsafe or unfit for human habitation. The Harare Fire and health departments say the buildings do not meet health and fire safety standards.
The building is located along McClery Road and houses more than 30 tenants although it was designed for six families.
The tenants have been staying at the property belonging to Vivandelphi (PVT) Ltd for more than 10 years without paying rates.
According to a Harare City notice of eviction titled “Unsatisfactory Conditions: Harare (Public Health By laws) 1962, Vivandelphi Court” stated that an inspection of the premises was carried out last month and revealed unsatisfactory conditions.
The letter from the health services director read that the building was dilapidated. The building has no municipal piped water supply and non functional sanitary facilities.
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“The above named conditions have gone unattended to for several years in spite of previous notices served on you,” the notice of eviction said.
The owners of the property were, however, ordered with immediate effect to renovate the building, provide piped water and repair non-functional sanitary facilities.
Council said failure to effect the foregoing within 30 days would result in eviction of the occupants without any further notice.
The Fire Department also condemned the property and ordered the proprietors to install fire equipment.
It ordered residents to stop vandalising fire hydrants at the building. The tenants were also ordered to improve their housekeeping in and out of the premises.
Vivandelphi (PVT) Ltd company secretary Miss Margaret Tichareva said the High Court had issued eviction notices to four of the families residing at the property.
“As a company we have gone to court to try and evict these tenants who have been resisting for many years.
“So we have court orders which we will use to evict with the intention of renovating the property,” she said.
Miss Tichareva said tenants have been staying free of charge without paying any rentals or even council rates.
The Herald visited the block of flats that are dilapidated, filthy and over-crowded.
The residents use the bucket systems since there have not had running water for the past five years.
The City of Harare cut off water supply in 2005 for non-payment of rates amounting to over Z$50 000 then.
Online Reporter