adminH-Metro Reporter
ILLEGAL settlers living along the Avondale Creek in Kensington, Harare, have escalated their threat to life and property, according to a resident.
The squatters’ shacks and makeshift structures have been turned into permanent dwellings.
In May, they used bricks to block Kenny Road and were accused of stealing.
A resident, who stays along Kenny Road, said the squatters started a fire, between two properties, by burning plastics.
“The squatters were blaming one of them for being mentally unstable and causing the fire,” Arnold Muchenje said.
He said the Fire Brigade came and put out the fire.
Muchenjes aid the number of illegal settlers in Avondale Creek keeps rising and more semi-permanent structures were going up.
“It looks like they are here for the long term.
“The Council, police and central Government are reluctant to deal with this threat to life and property,” said Muchenje
In December last year, Ward 7 councillor, Happymore Gotora, said the last option would be to go the legal route, which takes between six months to a year.
“We are still in the process of working with them.
“And, we also need to engage the ZRP because there’s a need for concerted efforts from all ends and because when you remove them, they come back.
“I will find out how far they have gone from where we left the last time,” Gotora told H-Metro yesterday.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter