Illegal settlers get ultimatum to leave Residential stands for unpaid council workers

ILLEGAL settlers occupying an open space in the sprawling high-density suburb of Chikanga in Mutare have been ordered by the High Court to vacate the piece of land before the year ends.

The illegal settlers have been given until December 31 to vacate.

Mutare City Council has since indicated that it would engage the Deputy Sheriff to forcefully remove them in the event that they fail to abide by the High Court order.

Speaking during a full council meeting on Thursday, Mutare City Council chamber secretary Mr Cephas Vuta said the court’s decision had been already communicated to the illegal settlers.

“We have since received a judgment in which the court has ordered the illegal settlers to vacate before December 31,” said Mr Vuta.

Mr Vuta said the piece of land they were occupying was not meant for residential purposes.

He said the other part of the land which was being occupied by the illegal settlers was a railway reserve.

“If they do not comply with the court order, we will seek the services of the Deputy Sheriff to forcefully evict them,” said Mr Vuta.

“They should not be allowed to stay there. It is dangerous for their lives as it is also a railway reserve. The area is not meant for residential purposes.”

Mutare Ward 9 Councillor Crispen Dube suggested that some illegal settlers should not be evicted from pieces of land they would be occupying, as council should find solutions to such problems.

Clr Dube said there were other illegal settlers in Mutare who were also ordered to vacate the pieces of land, but had not been moved. MUTARE City Council has resolved to offer its workers residential stands as compensation for salary arrears dating back to 2013, which had ballooned to nearly $9 million.

The resolution was made during an ordinary council meeting held on December 7.

Mutare City Council owes employees $8 595 815, which was accrued between 2013 to April this year.

Former students who were on attachment during the same period are also set to receive their dues.

Town Clerk Mr Joshua Maligwa revealed that council was expecting to unveil about 480 serviced stands during the beginning of next year.

“You are also aware that during His Excellency Cde ED Mnangagwa’s inaugural speech, he talked about the issue to do with housing delivery,” he said

“He talked about what we can term political market place. By political market place, we mean we should be seen bringing what

“We have some places where judgments ordered for their vacation and nothing has been done,” he said.

“What is so peculiar about those in Chikanga. We should solve the problems as council and help these people.”

Mr Vuta said the illegal settlers in is tangible to the residents, be it City of Harare or be it City of Mutare.

“We are targeting servicing of about 484 high-density stands in Dangamvura.”

Mr Maligwa said council was expecting to commit about $1,8 million towards the housing project, expected to be completed within six months.

Mutare City Council also resolved to withdraw all the pending cases which are before the Labour Court.

This comes amid reports that council was shouldering a huge legal bill which accrued in fighting labour disputes.

During the same December 7 meeting, City of Mutare resolved to pay $18 000 in damages to 12 employees who were unlawfully dismissed from work sometime in 2012.

The 12 are Timothy Foya, Charles Mugido, Abigail Nyamupenza, Catherine Kaduzura, Steven Machona, Rose Makamba, Lucia Chimwaza, Anna Mutenha, Precious Jeza, Mavis Jameza, Faustina Mberi and Stenly Musiyarira.

Chikanga would should be evicted since their case was different from other matters Clr Dube was referring to.

Commenting on the issue after the meeting, Town Clerk Mr Joshua Maligwa appealed for intervention from Government.