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NINE families were left homeless on Tuesday in Chikanga high-density suburb area after their houses were demolished by a property development company, Destiny of Africa Network.
The affected nine families included 21 children and 17 adults.
Chairman of Destiny of Africa Network, Mr Wilson Masokowere, confirmed the demolition on Wednesday and said everything was above board as they had purchased the land in question from Mutare City Council.
Mr Masokowere, however, said the land was being leased to Eastern Highlands Bricks all along, but they had given them notice to vacate.
The affected families who claimed to be employees of Eastern Highlands Bricks said they were only given a seven-day notice and to leave by July 31, 2014. They were not aware that the land had been sold or that they were supposed to vacate the area.
One of the affected residents, Mr Bernard John, said if they were given appropriate notice they would have looked for options, not seven days.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) they demolished three houses and told us they had no option because they had to complete their housing projects according to their contract timelines.
“They said they had given Eastern Highlands enough time to vacate and the seven days was the last extension.
“Since this was a farm when some of us started staying here, we thought there would be consideration of some sort since we never received any communication that the land had been sold all these years,” said Mr John whose property was outside after his house was demolished.
Mrs Georgina Chiradza who had been staying at the compound for 14 years said she had two children and did not have anywhere else to go.
Mr Masokowere said Mutare City Council had since issued notices to the director of Eastern Highlands Bricks, a Mrs Mbambo, who was leasing the area for her bricks business, including the compound area where her employees lived.
“We started operating in June this year. Mutare City Council sold this land to us and this was even gazetted in The Manica Post.
“We actually waited for the 30 days agreement period to see if anyone would contest the sale of the land in question, but there was no challenge.
“So when we began in June all the notices had been given months before to Eastern Highlands Bricks.
“We only began to face resistance from the families in the compound last month (July) and they would say all sorts of stories, but my hands were tied.
“We are a corporative and this land is already bought by individuals that we are developing the land for.
“The Town Clerk also gave us the green light to continue with our work and we did just that.
“We have, however, offered some of the families, temporary accommodation at the other compound that we are not pulling down, but some refused to move there,” said Mr Masokowere.
The Manica Post hooked up with Mrs Mbambo at her house at the Mountain Rise in Devonshire just up the compound, but she expressed ignorance over matter.
“I do not have information off hand regarding this matter. You will have to look for me another time,” she said.
Attempts to get a comment from Town Clerk, Mr Obert Muzawazi, before going to press on Wednesday, were fruitless.
Online Reporter