Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
HARARE City Council has started demolitions in some low-density suburbs, targeting illegal businesses and structures operating in contravention of local by-laws.
This comes as the municipality grapples with about 5 000 outstanding house demolition orders amid growing concerns over unregulated settlements and construction on wetlands.
On Thursday, city officials descended on Harare’s Highlands suburb, where they targeted illegal commercial activities being conducted in residential areas.
The Herald visited one of the properties, Number 18 Wilkins Close, where spray-painting and panel-beating operations were being run from a residential property. Authorities said such businesses were prohibited in residential zones as they posed a health hazard to neighbouring residents.
The owners had been issued with orders to shut down and relocate, but had repeatedly defied the directives. This prompted council officials to move in and remove some of the vehicles from the premises, with demolition of the structures now pending.
At the time of the inspection, there were about 20 vehicles on site, along with paint, compressors and various other equipment used in the business.
The operation follows a recent announcement by the City of Harare that there would be no regularisation of land invasions in low-density suburbs and that all houses being built under so-called “pay schemes” in such areas would be demolished.
According to an internal report on the regularisation and demolition of illegal structures compiled by acting Town Clerk Advocate Warren Chiwawa and obtained by The Herald, council has drawn a clear distinction between how it will treat low-density and high-density areas.
In high-density areas, the report says, council may only consider regularisation where settlements are not on land reserved for schools, clinics and other critical services, and only if occupation began before the September 24, 2023 cut-off date. All areas invaded from 2024 to date will be demolished.
Authorities stressed that housing pay schemes and co-operatives were created to help low-income earners access residential stands and were never intended to facilitate land grabs in low-density suburbs.
“Housing pay schemes and co-operatives were established for low-income earners, and council shall not regularise the invasion of land in low-density areas by land barons under the guise of housing co-operatives and/or pay schemes,” the report says.
The report also highlights a new tactic employed by land barons, who are now invading land during weekends and late at night, rushing to erect structures and moving occupants in immediately in a bid to frustrate demolition teams.
Council said coordinated invasions intensified around August 2023 and were being driven by politicians, land barons and other invaders. Some invaders, the report adds, are occupying land already allocated or leased to beneficiaries who are still servicing their stands in anticipation of regularisation.
“All these illegal developments shall be demolished,” the report reads.
The Town Clerk also raised alarm over forged paperwork, revealing that land invaders in medium- and low-density areas were using offer letters, agreements of sale and title deeds bearing scanned and forged signatures.
“All fake documents are being reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The illegal developments shall be demolished following due process,” the report says.
Demolitions are already under way in low-density areas to “maintain order and sanity”, the report adds, stressing that council will not tolerate the abuse of the Co-operative Act and the Parallel Development Concept by land barons and politically connected individuals.
“Council shall continue to deal decisively with all invasions and illegal developments without fear or favour,” the report notes.
