Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
HARARE City Council’s silence on a heated dispute between Shelter Zimbabwe, a land developer, and Highserv Payscheme over stands in Donnybrook Chizhanje area in Mabvuku has left residents uncertain.
Both parties claim to have legal ownership of the land, leaving residents who bought the stands valued at between US$11 000 and US$14 000 in a state of panic.
Shelter Zimbabwe issued a notice of eviction to residents last week claiming to be the rightful owners after acquiring the land from the City of Harare.
“Notice is hereby given to all individuals currently occupying land at Donnybrook, Chizhanje without agreement with Shelter Zimbabwe that your occupation is illegal,” read part of the notice. “This land was allocated to Shelter Zimbabwe by the City of Harare and we are the rightful holders of it. You may have been misled by individuals claiming to be the rightful owners of this property.”
Shelter Zimbabwe also claimed that they had a court order to evict all illegal occupants and where necessary demolish any unauthorised structures.
Residents were given two options either to buy the stand from Shelter or vacate the land by May 31, 2025. The company said failure to comply will result in demolitions.
However, Highserv Payscheme refuted Shelter Zimbabwe’s claims saying that they lawfully acquired the land from Harare City Council after the municipality terminated its lease with Shelter Zimbabwe in November 2021.
“We wish to categorically put it on firm ground that all Highserv home owners should not panic, let alone be destabilised by such notice as the land belongs to Highserv, having acquired it lawfully from Harare City Council,” read part of Highserv Payscheme statement.
“Harare City Council formally terminated the lease they had with Shelter Zimbabwe on November 1 2021 and there has been nothing that resuscitated the same. Highserv was procedurally and properly offered the said land and copies to that effect are available for scrutiny.”
When contacted for comment, Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume referred this publication to council spokesperson Mr Stanley Gama on Sunday for a full response from the housing department.
However, to date the council has yet to respond despite a week having lapsed since the two developers issued separate statements both claiming ownership of the land.
