KEY POINTS
- Justice Minister questions legality of Belvedere demolitions.
- Harare City Council faces accusations of bypassing legal procedures.
- Demolitions could extend to other areas with illegal structures.
Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has accused the Harare City Council of demolishing houses in Ridgeview, Belvedere, without following proper legal procedures. Speaking during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Ziyambi called for a probe into the demolitions and urged local authorities to address such issues with more humane considerations.
The controversy began after the Local Government Ministry distanced itself from the demolitions, claiming the City Council acted independently and failed to consult its parent ministry. The demolitions, which affected nearly 20 houses, were carried out last week on the grounds that the land had been illegally acquired from barons.
Belvedere demolitions spark accusations against Harare City Council
Minister Ziyambi criticized the City Council for allowing the structures to be built before taking action. “Why wait until a house has been built and then you send bulldozers to destroy?” he asked. He further highlighted the emotional and financial toll on affected residents, many of whom had invested heavily in the construction of their homes.
“Some of the houses were beautiful structures, and it is not even fair to those people,” Ziyambi stated. “Our local authorities, largely controlled by the opposition, must have a humane face and articulate these issues from a human rights perspective.”
Ziyambi alleged that the demolitions were carried out without obtaining a court order, a violation of due process. He called on Parliament to investigate the matter, holding local authorities accountable for their actions.
Ziyambi claimed the City Council not only allowed the illegal structures to be built but also demolished them without following proper legal channels. “Everything falls squarely into the hands of city authorities. They are the ones allowing these buildings to go up, and they are the ones demolishing them without a court order,” he said.
The minister emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the council’s actions to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, which he described as a matter of national interest.
Demolitions to extend beyond Ridgeview, council warns
Following the Ridgeview demolitions, the Harare City Council announced plans to extend its operations to other parts of the capital where illegal structures have been identified. This decision has sparked further concerns about the potential displacement of residents and the legal validity of such actions.
While the council maintains that the land in question was unlawfully acquired, critics argue that demolitions should only proceed after court orders have been obtained to ensure fairness and adherence to legal standards.
Ziyambi reiterated his call for humane solutions, urging local authorities to prioritize legal compliance and consider the human rights implications of their actions.
