Concern over rise in illegal settlements
THE Harare City Council is concerned with the proliferation of illegal settlements as the country moves towards harmonised elections, amid reports that land barons are aligning their actions with political parties.
President Mnangagwa recently signed into law the Land Commission Act, paving way for the establishment of a commission that will advise Government on land management and carrying out periodic audits following rampant abuse of land, especially in major cities.
Harare City corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme said they did research and established that no political party wanted to tarnish its image by engaging in illegal activities when they could use the law to obtain residential land for the people.
“It would be unfair not to mention that some of the land invasions are politically-motivated with the leadership of the invasions falsely aligning their actions with political parties,” he said.
“City authorities will not be manipulated to regularise illegalities. We advise people being coerced into buying land at undesignated residential plots to stop and apply for proper allocation with council.
“Buying such pieces of land is self-defeating and a waste of resources because council will not authenticate illegalities.”
Mr Chideme said the city noticed that each time it issued warnings and prohibition orders, some people took advantage of its humane approach and decided to entrench their illegal activities.
He said all people that invaded Crowborough, Churu and Eyestone farms should move out on their own before the city took action.
“Allowing people to stay on Crowborough Farm is a travesty of justice,” he said.
“The farm is used for waste-water treatment. This means any human settlement on that farm is a huge risk to the health of all Harare residents.
“We cannot allow a human settlement on a waste-water farm. There is a high risk of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery and other water borne diseases. Crowborough Farm is a big no.”
Mr Chideme said it had also come to the city’s attention that some people sold land to gullible residents at Crowborough Farm.
He urge anyone who bought such land to report to the police, saying anyone interested in securing municipal housing land should approach council.
“Paying for municipal land to third parties is actually sinking your investment in a deep well where you will not be able to retrieve it,” said Mr Chideme.
“What is happening in the settlements that we recently regularised should be used as an example.
“The city is demanding its dues from the people despite them having paid huge sums of money to shadowy groups and individuals.
“Our message is simple — do not splash your money on illegal activities.”
Mr Chideme said people settled on illegal sites in areas that were regularised such as on school, clinic, business and institutional sites should stop any further construction work because council was in the process of relocating them to suitable housing land.