Panic as Police Oversee Evictions and Demolitions in Stone Ridge

HARARE — Residents of Stone Ridge were gripped by panic on Tuesday as police moved into the area to oversee an eviction and demolition exercise, triggering scenes of confusion, anxiety, and uncertainty among affected families. Scores of residents gathered outside their homes as authorities marked structures slated for demolition, while police maintained a heavy presence to ensure the operation proceeded without disruption.

Witnesses said tensions escalated throughout the day as families scrambled to salvage belongings from homes and buildings facing destruction. Some residents expressed shock, claiming they had little time to prepare for the operation.

“We do not know where we are going to sleep tonight,” said one resident, who watched as officials inspected properties in the neighbourhood. “People have invested their life savings here.”

Another resident described the atmosphere as chaotic, with many families rushing to remove furniture, household goods, and building materials before demolition teams moved in. Police officers were deployed across the area to maintain order and prevent confrontations as the exercise unfolded.

The reasons behind the evictions and demolitions were not immediately clear, although such operations are often linked to disputes over land ownership, illegal settlements, planning regulations, or court orders.

Human rights groups and residents' associations have previously called on authorities to ensure that affected families receive adequate notice and that relocation arrangements are made where necessary to minimise hardship. As the operation continued, uncertainty remained over the number of households likely to be affected and whether additional demolitions would be carried out in the coming days.

Authorities had not yet issued an official statement on the exercise by the time of publication.

The developments have left many residents fearing displacement, with families anxiously awaiting clarification on their future as the operation continues.

Stone Ridge evictions