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Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

corruption-riddled Harare City Council is embroiled in yet another storm after one of its employees has been trying to evict children of the late owner and has claimed that the house is now in her name.

The house at the centre of dispute belonged to the late Mrs Asina Edward of Malawian origin who inherited the house from her sister, Mrs Alina Alina, who is also late under the 1980s Government schemes that sold most council high-density housing to sitting tenants.

Mrs Edward and Mrs Alina died in Malawi and the children have been staying at the house since 1979 until last month when they received eviction orders from a council employee, Mrs Mesline Kasingakore, who is allegedly claiming ownership of the house.

Mr William Edward, a son to the late owner of the house, said they were shocked to hear that the house had a new owner and they should vacate.

Mr Edward said the family was leasing the house from council and his mother, as the sitting tenant then, signed the home ownership forms making her the owner of the house.

“Our mother Mrs Alina Alina used to stay at house number 160 Muonde Road with her sister Mrs Asina Edward. Her sister then went to Malawi in 1979 then we were left with my mother. Council officials came in the 1980s and told us to sign a lease which we religiously did.

“When it was time for home ownership to be activated we went to the council to sign the document. Our mother had no national identity but a marriage certificate so we went to the civil registry and acquired the ID as she was of Malawian origin. She later signed the home ownership and the house was put in her name,” he said.

It was changed into the name of her sister when she died, and after the death of the children’s aunt they inquired with the council.

“After the death of our aunt we inquired at the council and they said there was no problem and we left it like that. Last year, a lady by the name Mesline Kasingakore, who works at the council, came with her colleagues and told us that we were illegal tenants and had to be evicted.

“She said the house was hers and the ownership papers were in her name. We were later served with an eviction letter demanding that we leave. We then approached the housing department and were told that our papers were in order and the house belonged to us.”

Mr Edward said weeks later they were served with another eviction notice ordering them to vacate the house.

“The papers have since been changed into her name and she has been threatening us to vacate the house. We do not know if that is the case if a parent dies, the children will be evicted by the council. We went to the council and we are told that the house file has been sent to the legal department,” he said.

Council spokesperson Mr Innocent Ruwende said the local authority was not allowed to repossess houses of the deceased while their children were alive.

“Council is not repossessing houses of the deceased. If a legal tenant dies consideration is given to the wife, husband, children.

“Repossession can only be done if there’s subletting of property. If there is an issue in Mufakose, let them approach the director of housing,” he said.