Harare residents are expressing outrage after the recent demolitions of homes in the city, directly challenging Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe’s remarks that sought to distance the government from the actions of Harare City Council.
Garwe condemned the demolitions and instructed the City of Harare to cease further actions, claiming that the central government was committed to upholding citizens’ right to adequate housing.
“We condemn the recent demolitions conducted by the Harare City Council. Our citizens have a constitutional right to adequate housing, and they deserve to enjoy this right,” Garwe said, responding to the demolitions.
However, Harare residents are questioning the Minister’s stance, arguing that government-linked land barons have long been selling illegal land, leading to this situation.
Many affected residents believe they are being punished for the actions of politically connected figures who sold them land under false pretenses.
One resident whose home was demolished, shared his frustration.
“We saved for years to buy this land, and followed all the steps given to us. Now we are left with nothing because of these political games.
“The Minister claims to be on our side, but where was he when we were being sold this land?”, Zihanda questioned.
Another resident, added, “Seeing my home reduced to rubble was heartbreaking. I followed every requirement to settle here, yet they destroy our homes and tell us we should have known better. Where is the accountability?”
In an interview with this publication, Precious Shumba, Director of the Harare Residents Trust (HRT), criticized Garwe’s approach, arguing that he was overstepping constitutional boundaries and supporting lawlessness.
“The Minister is misdirecting himself by implying that the national government can control local authorities,” Shumba said.
“By supporting the interests of these land barons, the Minister is undermining town planning laws that his own ministry is meant to uphold.”
Shumba asserted that the HRT has long documented how land barons, many allegedly connected to powerful individuals, have sold council land illegally.
“The demolitions are a timeous lesson to powerful people who believe that because they are politically connected, they can settle wherever they want,” he said.
“Local authorities must be safeguarded from unnecessary interference by partisan government ministers who believe in the superiority of their political party above our government’s public institutions,” he added.
Residents and the HRT are calling for the government to enact devolution laws outlined in Chapter 14 of the Constitution to protect local authorities from political interference, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
