Chitungwiza houses survive demolition for now
Chitungwiza Town clerk Tonderai Kasu confirms that the municipality has impeding plans to demolish illegal settlements. This follows after a complaint from Chitungwiza Residents (Chitrest).
The statement from the Town clerk suggests that the municipality does not intend to demolish the houses now but one way or another that time shall come.
The Chitungwiza residents received help from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. The lawyers wrote on behalf of Chitrest in quest of lucidity regarding proposed demolitions.
A leaked memo circulated on the Internet stating that approximately 11 000 houses would be demolished. Houses facing demolition are those on wetlands, reserved areas, graveyards, commercial sites etc.
On the other side, the Environmental Management Agency orders people located on wetlands to evacuate or expect demolitions anytime soon. A new law on preservation of wetlands is to be gazetted soon hence those settling on wetlands are at a large risk anytime.
Wetlands are vital for a balanced ecosystem. The Environmental Management Act mandates EMA to prosecute anyone carrying out any activity that is likely to cause degradation of a wetland without authority from the agency.
The main question remains what are our planners and engineers really doing. Many wonder due to such incompetence.
Chitungwiza houses survive demolition for now