Tawengwa refers the Rugare Granite Works demolition petition to the Permanent Secretary

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Senator Charles Tawengwa has referred a petition by Zanu-PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC 6) concerning the planned demolition of structures at Rugare Granite Works to the Permanent Secretary for further action.

The development follows a petition submitted by DCC 6 over what the party says are intended demolitions at the granite operation along Harare Drive.

In a letter dated July 22, Tawengwa acknowledged receipt of correspondence from DCC 6 Secretary for Business and Economic Development Andrew Makahamadze, dated July 21, and said the matter had been forwarded to Permanent Secretary Dr Shingirayi Mushamba's office. The referral effectively moves the dispute beyond the political party's engagement with Harare City Council and places the matter before the provincial administration for further consideration.

DCC 6 has welcomed the minister's response, saying it vindicates its decision to approach central Government over the dispute. Makahamadze alleged that documents being used in proceedings concerning the demolition referred to structures that, according to the committee, do not exist at the disputed site. “The summons from council's lawyers speak of demolishing structures that are not on the ground, and that is what was placed before the High Court,” he said.

He further alleged that council lawyers had acted on resolutions that had not been properly passed or ratified. “Because of corruption, lawyers are being instructed to act on resolutions that were never genuinely passed,” he said. The allegations have not been independently established, and Harare City Council's response to the claims was not included in the correspondence cited by DCC 6.

Makahamadze said the committee would now seek accountability from council officials over the legal and administrative processes surrounding the demolition dispute. “There were no resolutions, there was no ratification within the council, and we are going after the town clerk and his lawyers over this,” he said.

He claimed that properties worth millions of dollars were at risk of being destroyed and questioned the basis for deploying heavy machinery to demolish structures at the site. “It does not make sense that yellow machines are being used to flatten millions of dollars in property,” Makahamadze said.

He also criticised what he described as the destruction of livelihoods without adequate documentation, saying the committee would continue pursuing the matter through legal channels. The dispute comes amid continuing tensions between Harare City Council, property owners and informal or commercial operators over land use, development approvals, illegal structures and enforcement of municipal regulations.

Local authorities have increasingly faced pressure to enforce planning and environmental regulations while balancing those responsibilities against the protection of businesses, property rights and livelihoods. For DCC 6, however, the immediate concern is whether the legal and administrative requirements for any demolition at Rugare Granite Works were properly followed.

The committee says it intends to pursue the matter in court and press for explanations from council officials. Makahamadze said those responsible for what he described as unlawful destruction should ultimately be held accountable. “We have taken their measure, and we will fight for justice and for what belongs to our people,” he said.

The provincial government's referral to the Permanent Secretary is now expected to provide an opportunity for the competing claims surrounding the proposed demolition to be examined, including the status of the disputed structures, council resolutions and any court orders or other legal authority relied upon by the local authority. Until that process is completed, claims that the planned demolitions are unlawful or that council officials acted improperly remain allegations.

Rugare Granite Works demolition