Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
Harare City Council has remained quiet in a heated land dispute between land developers Shelter Zimbabwe and Highserv Payscheme over the Donnybrook Chizhanje area in Mabvuku, with both developers asserting they were granted the land by City of Harare.
Both parties claim to have legal ownership of the land, leaving residents who purchased stands valued between US$11 000 and US$14 000 each feeling uncertain and insecure.
Shelter Zimbabwe issued a notice of eviction and vacant possession 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,” reads 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.
The developer also claimed that they had a court order to evict all illegal occupants, and where necessary, demolish any unauthorised structures.
Residents were given options either to purchase the stands or vacate the premises by the end of this month, with failure to comply seeing a court-ordered demolition.
However, Highserv Payscheme denied Shelter Zimbabwe’s claims, stating that they lawfully acquired the land from Harare City Council after the council 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,” reads part of Highserv Payscheme.
“Harare City Council formally terminated the lease they had had with Shelter Zimbabwe on 1 November 2021 and there has been nothing that resuscitated 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 reporter to council spokesperson Mr Stanley Gama for a full response from the Housing Department.
However, to date, the council has yet to respond, despite a week having already lapsed since the two developers issued separate statements disputing ownership of the land, leaving residents in a state of panic.
