WHEN local authorities push for demolitions, their eyes often seem blind to the human lives behind the structures they are destroying.
At the end of the day, these are not simply demolitions of illegal structures; they are ruined lives, shattered dreams and uncertain futures for thousands of families.
Imagine the anxiety and uncertainty that news of demolitions causes among poor residents who are already going through taxing times. For many, a house represents years of sacrifice, hard-earned savings and the hope of giving their families a secure future.
Of course, ultimately, residents must take responsibility for failing to conduct due diligence before paying for residential stands. But authorities must also show some heart.
They should not allow residents to put up costly structures, sometimes under the watch of municipal officials, only to send bulldozers months or years later to plough through their homes and throw families into desperation.
This plea comes after a tour of illegal settlements by Local Government minister Daniel Garwe and Harare City Council officials last week sent fresh tremors through residents of the capital’s many informal settlements.
The fear is that another Operation Murambatsvina could be looming following the minster’s tour. About two weeks ago, authorities razed down structures in St Martins, near Sunningdale.
This is not the first time demolitions have been authorised and carried out. It has become a recurring exercise, with little apparent regard for the people caught in its path. We saw expensive properties demolished in Ridgeview, Belvedere in 2024 and Stoneridge this year, with council arguing that the land had been unlawfully occupied and sold by land barons using fraudulent paperwork, without approved development plans or proper water and sewer infrastructure.
The demolitions are reportedly expected to extend to Budiriro, Kuwadzana, Glen View, Mabvuku, Greendale and other areas.
Council says the targeted properties either lack valid municipal approval or legal title deeds, or stand on prohibited sites such as wetlands, road reserves and land reserved for schools, clinics and other public facilities.
The unfortunate residents are often victims of politicians and land barons who feast on their cash and disappear, leaving them at the mercy of demolition crews and inclement weather.
Some politicians prey on people’s desperation, parcelling out land in return for votes. Residents then continue supporting them because they fear losing the stands they would have paid for. These known politicians and land barons often operate in cahoots with corrupt municipal officials, giving residents the impression that their ownership is legitimate and uncontested.
Authorities must, therefore, move away from the current reactive approach. There should be routine inspections to check the legality of construction activities before residents invest their life savings in structures that could later be demolished.
The post Beyond bulldozers: Council should match enforcement with humanity appeared first on Zimbabwe Independent.
Follow the story
