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Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter

More than 20 families in Budiriro 4 Extension were left homeless yesterday after the Harare City Council demolished their structures, and the affected residents allege they were not warned of the action.

The HCC, however said they obtained a court order to remove the residents who had illegally settled themselves on council land.

Some of the affected residents who spoke to The Herald said they were shocked by the local authority’s “arbitrary” action. 

Other residents whose houses were demolished alleged that the land in question was at the centre of a dispute between two housing cooperatives and that yesterday’s demolitions were the third time that had happened. 

 “They just came and started demolishing our houses without talking to anyone. We don’t even know what this is all about. We tried to talk to them and find out what’s going on, but they are not saying anything.

“We bought these stands through Madzibaba Enock Housing Cooperative and this is the third time,” said Mrs Felistus Mutondova.

Another resident, Mrs Lydia Chigayo, said had council warned them of the demolitions, they would have prepared accordingly.

 “We were never given any warning. I was in Mazowe when all this happened. I was phoned by my neighbours and I rushed here, only to find them already knocking down our house. These stands are under Madzibaba Enock Housing Cooperative and we bought them legally. I had all the receipts but I cannot find them since all my property was thrown away when they demolished my house,” said Mrs Chigayo.

Mr Owen Nedziwe said the demolitions could be politically motivated.

“. The major reason why they are demolishing our houses is because we support ZANU PF. We have been here for some years. Some of the houses were destroyed and others were left so we do not know which criteria they were using. We pay bills to the city of Harare. Water and sewer was also connected. Everything was in order here, We do not know why they destroyed our houses us,” said Mr Nedziwe.

Harare City Council acting corporate communications manager Mr Innocent Ruwende confirmed the incident saying the residents were staying illegally and a court order was filed against them.

“Those people were staying illegally. They have invaded an open space for the council land. We filed a court order against them. The land was not allocated to them, it belongs to the council,” he said.