Harare Demolition Blitz Threatens Thousands of Homes and Businesses in Crackdown on Illegal Settlements

HARARE – Thousands of families and tens of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses face the prospect of losing their homes and livelihoods as the City of Harare intensifies a sweeping crackdown on illegal settlements, land invasions, and unauthorised developments across the capital. The exercise, which city authorities say is aimed at restoring order, protecting environmentally sensitive areas and curbing the activities of land barons, is expected to affect several suburbs across Harare, including high-density, medium-density and low-density residential areas.

According to the latest Town Clerk's report on the regularisation and demolition of illegal structures, a City of Harare task force has already surveyed 22,255 sites as part of an ongoing assessment of unauthorised developments. Authorities have warned that structures built on wetlands, open spaces, farms, vleis, school sites, clinic sites, and other protected land will not be spared during the forthcoming demolition campaign.

The report identifies a number of suburbs where demolitions and clearances are planned, including Greendale, Belvedere, Budiriro, Kuwadzana, Mabvuku, Glen View, Mabelreign, Tynwald, Crowborough, Chisipite, Glen Lorne, Southlea Park, Hopley, Mainway Meadows, Tafara, and Hatcliffe.

Several structures in Harare South and Whitecliff have already been demolished, leaving some families homeless and forcing affected business operators to count significant financial losses after authorities moved in to enforce council regulations.

The City of Harare says the operation is targeting illegal settlements allegedly linked to land barons, politically connected individuals, and organised groups that have occupied land reserved for public infrastructure and environmental protection. According to the report, land invasions escalated significantly following the August 2023 elections.

"Well-organised and coordinated rampant land invasions, fueled by politicians across the political divide, land barons, and general invaders, intensified around August 2023," the report states.

Council officials say some illegal settlers have occupied land that had already been allocated or leased to legitimate beneficiaries who were still undertaking infrastructure development before taking possession.

In many cases, authorities allege that invaders moved onto the land, anticipating eventual regularisation by the government or local authorities.

"Such invaders occupy the land illegally, anticipating regularisation. All these illegal developments shall be demolished," the report warns.

The report also highlights growing concerns over the use of allegedly fraudulent documents to facilitate illegal land occupations. Authorities claim that some individuals have presented offer letters, agreements of sale, and title deeds bearing scanned or forged signatures, particularly in medium-density and low-density suburbs. The council says all suspected cases of fraud are being referred to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for investigation.

"A clear message is being sent to all land barons that the council will not tolerate lawlessness or the abuse of the Co-operative Act and the Parallel Development Concept by politically connected individuals and elites who invade council and government land," the report states.

The scale of the planned demolitions is significant. The report indicates that more than 5,000 houses in high-density suburbs could be demolished under 37 existing High Court orders, alongside structures belonging to more than 40 illegal housing cooperatives. In Mabelreign, Meyrick Park, Sentosa, and Madokero, at least 67 structures have been earmarked for demolition. Approximately 200 properties built along the Harare Drive expansion corridor are also scheduled for removal, while structures constructed along Willowvale Road in Glen View 8 will be affected.

Council officials have clarified that the regularisation programme will not apply to developments located on wetlands, heritage sites, recreational spaces, school sites, or settlements established after the 24 September 2023 cut-off date. The demolition exercise is expected to generate significant debate as authorities balance urban planning regulations, environmental protection, and public infrastructure needs against the housing challenges facing thousands of Harare residents.

Harare demolition blitz