Mitchell Dzoro
The Community Alliance for Human Settlements in Zimbabwe (CAHSZ) has reported a surge in forced evictions and arbitrary displacements in the country, raising concerns about the disconnection between the local authorities and the central government in accommodation planning.
CAHSZ expressed its worry on the resurgence and continuation of cases of Demolition Driven and Development Induced Arbitrary Evictions (DDDIAEs) across the country.
Speaking at a media briefing in Harare, Director of Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA), Mr Marvelous Khumalo said the communities across the country have reported a surge in forced evictions often leaving individuals and families homeless.
“We have been witnessing for quite some time forced evictions, arbitrary evictions, or internal displacement, and we have noted that usually the affected are then left as an option, not because those on the housing waiting list have problems or those that are looking for accommodation have problems,” Mr Khumalo said.
Mr Khumalo stated that those in local authorities and the central government are fully aware of the number of people on the housing waiting list, yet there is no action being taken as the two bodies are disconnected in their planning efforts.
“In planning, we feel both the local authorities and the central government must have a plan, they know the number of people that are on the housing waiting list, and in accordance, they have to plan for the provision of accommodation for those expecting to get shelter, especially in urban areas.
“If we look at the two,the local authorities and the local governance, there’s a disconnect, while the number on the waiting list is fast increasing, the pace at which both the local authorities and the central government are creating land for residential expansion does not connect,” Mr. Khumalo added.
Furthermore, Khumalo added that lack of comprehensive master plans has further exacerbated the situation as many local authorities have been operating for years without these essential planning documents.
“The other issue linked to poor planning is that local authorities have been operating for years without master plans, part of the master plan includes a layout plan, which controls physical and spatial development.
“It demarcates areas for intended purposes, such as residential or commercial and so forth so it determines the land use of specific areas so iff local authorities operate without these, we end up having problems in which people settle in the wrong areas,” explained Mr. Khumalo.
CAHSZ also highlighted that the resurgence was recorded from the post-election period, that is, January to August 2024, leaving hundreds of families vulnerable and homeless.
They also talked on issues that occurred in Masvingo province, Mushandike area in which hundreds of families were reduced to being squatters after they were forced to demolish their homes during a government operation, ‘Order No to Land Barons’ targeting land barons.
Some of the villagers impacted by the situation have since blamed government officials, especially from the Lands Ministry, for the shambolic settlement of individuals without proper documentation, as they claim that the same officials who instructed them to remain in place while their paperwork was being processed, were the ones later coming to arrest them.