Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
THE Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Senator Charles Tawengwa, has formally responded to a petition filed by Zanu-PF’s District Coordinating Committee (DCC 6) over the planned demolition of Rugare Granite Works, structures the committee insists do not even exist on the ground.
The matter was referred to the office of the Permanent Secretary for interrogation in a development the party has hailed as proof that Government is acting on its concerns.
The minister’s response, dated July 22, 2026 and addressed to DCC 6 Secretary for Business and Economic Development Cde Andrew Makahamadze, acknowledges receipt of the committee’s letter of 21 July and confirms the file has been passed on to Permanent Secretary Dr Shingirayi Mushamba’s office for action.
It comes just over a week after DCC 6 escalated the eviction dispute beyond council chambers, petitioning the minister to investigate what it called the ‘intended illegal demolitions’ of the granite operation along Harare Drive.
Reacting to the minister’s response, Cde Makahamadze said it vindicated the committee’s decision to go over the council’s head, and used the moment to widen his attack on what he alleged as corruption inside Harare City Council’s legal office.
Cde Makahamadze said council lawyers had misled the courts by citing structures that do not physically exist on the disputed site.
“The summons from council’s lawyers speak of demolishing structures that are not on the ground and that is what was placed before the High Court,” he said.
He said the minister’s intervention is evidence that concerns raised with Government reach the highest levels of leadership and are being acted upon in the President’s name.
“The President wants justice, and that is what his Ministers of State are conveying, to stop people from spoiling his name,” he said.
“Our President is a listening President who gives clear directives to his colleagues,” he added.
Cde Makahamadze said the committee’s next step is to demand accountability from the council’s administration itself.
He noted the need for valid paperwork behind the demolition drive.
“There were no resolutions, there was no ratification within the council, and we will be going after the town clerk and his lawyers over this,” he said.
He said the manner of the demolitions, carried out with heavy machinery and without proper documentation, amounted to reckless destruction of livelihoods.
He warned that DCC 6 would not relent until those responsible answered for the demolitions.
“It is terrible, people must account for their actions, and the one responsible will walk to Cape Town,” he said.
“We have taken their measure, and we will fight for justice and for what belongs to our people.”
