Home Council MDC Alliance Denies Hand in Harare Houses Demolitions

MDC Alliance Denies Hand in Harare Houses Demolitions

by Kudakwashe Vhenge


By Lloyd Takawira  


The MDC Alliance party has denied its involvement in the demolition of houses in Budiriro describing the act as “heartless”.


In a press statement the party’s secretary for local government, Sesil Zvidzai said as a party they condemn the demolition of houses in Budiriro Harare by the Harare City Council. 


The statement reads: “MDC Alliance condemns the callous, disproportionate demolitions of homes that are currently being carried out by Central Government, in particular the Ministry of Local Government – Mr July Mayo, the Provincial Minister – Mr Oliver Chidawu and the Provincial Development Co-ordinator – Mr Tafadzwa Muguti”.


The demolitions have resulted in the homelessness of a number of families during this rainy season. 


“The demolitions have left many people homeless, savings and their only available shelter in the middle of the rainy season. Families with young children, the old and the infirm have been rendered homeless by this heartless act” the statement reads.


The party also defended its councilors in particular Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume.


“Before his arrest two weeks ago, the Mayor of Harare, Councillor Jacob Mafume ordered a stop to all demolitions. He protested against the grossly unreasonable timing of the demolitions”.


The MDC Alliance which dragged the housing cooperatives affected to court instead chose to blame Zanu PF. 


“At the centre of the crisis are Zanu PF land barons and illegal co-operatives whose corrupt conduct has led to the arbitrary allocation of land in a manner that does not comply with council by-laws. The current demolitions have been triggered by Zanu PF in-fighting where urban land is being used as an election tool as well as a sword against those who have fallen out of favour with the system”. 


However, ZANU PF has mantained its stance that it is the opposition party that controls urban areas.


Land barons fleecing unsuspecting residents has since become a common problem in the capital.

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