Harare Ward 12 Councillor Appeals for Lease Agreements After Mass Demolitions

By Percy Nhara | Southerton Business Times

HARARE – Ward 12 Councillor Simon Manzanga has appealed to the Government and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to expedite the issuance of lease agreements and offer letters for residents living in approved settlements, saying delays are fuelling illegal developments and leaving families vulnerable to demolitions. The call follows the recent demolition of more than 760 houses in Ward 12, leaving hundreds of families homeless and highlighting longstanding challenges surrounding land tenure, housing cooperatives and urban planning in Harare.

Speaking in an interview, Cllr Manzanga said while housing cooperatives had made significant progress in providing accommodation, many residents remain without legal ownership documents.

"We appeal to the Ministry of Local Government for approved plans to get lease agreements and offer letters," he said.

Manzanga urged authorities to fast-track the approval of settlement plans and cadastral maps to prevent further illegal construction. He warned that the absence of approved layouts has resulted in land reserved for public infrastructure, including schools, clinics and community centres, being illegally allocated for residential stands.

"This area has a lot of housing cooperatives and if there are no approved plans, as is the current situation, it results in land meant for schools, clinics and community centres being allocated for housing stands," he said.

He added that bureaucratic delays were worsening Harare's housing crisis.

"We are facing challenges of delayed paperwork. I appeal for Government intervention because what is important for residents of Harare is shelter, and this is leading to demolitions."

The councillor advised prospective homeowners to ensure they have valid documentation before constructing houses.

"I urge residents, before construction, to first understand the situation and position of their land so they do not waste their money on land that will end up being demolished," he said.

He also called on the City of Harare and the Ministry of Local Government to prevent illegal developments on land designated for public institutions.

"There is a need for Local Government and council to stop developments on land meant for schools, clinics or other Government institutions to avoid demolitions."

According to Manzanga, the demolition of more than 760 houses has left many families living in difficult conditions.

"A house could have had 10 or 15 occupants, so the figures of people affected by the demolitions are huge."

He said many displaced residents are now renting accommodation or living in temporary shelters without access to clean water, sanitation or adequate protection from the winter weather.

"The people are camped where there is no water, no toilets and shelter with this cold weather. We appeal to the highest offices to see how they can assist."

Manzanga said the demolitions followed a court ruling involving a Chinese national who successfully claimed ownership of the disputed land.

"The courts do not lie, but we also pity the affected families, the money wasted by residents building the houses, building materials, boreholes drilled all that was demolished. That is why we appeal to Government to intervene."

The councillor called for the affected families to be legally resettled as authorities work towards resolving Harare's growing housing and land tenure challenges.

Harare Ward 12 demolitions