Harare demolitions displace families after years of investment

At approximately 5am on Friday, August 14, Methro Masunga was awakened by the noise of heavy machinery and shouting police officers in St Martins Extension, a suburb of Harare. Initially believing the equipment was for road works, she soon realized her home was targeted for demolition. Masunga, a single mother of three, had spent years saving for the property while working part time in domestic jobs.

Masunga stated that she began paying for her stand in 2015 and received an allocation in 2019. She explained that the arrangement was formalized through the city council in 2020 when residents received official documents. Standing among the rubble of her house, she described the shock of seeing years of sacrifice destroyed in a matter of hours.

The incident highlights a broader conflict over land in the capital. Residents claim they purchased stands through council linked processes and invested their savings in construction. Conversely, the municipality argues it is enforcing planning regulations against structures built without proper approvals or on land not designated for housing.

City council records indicate that more than 5,000 houses face demolition under 37 outstanding High Court orders. A council task force has inspected 22,255 sites to identify structures on prohibited land. While authorities say the demolitions address illegal construction and disputed sales, residents argue that many affected people held valid allocation letters and agreements of sale.

Memory Chengeta, another resident whose home was destroyed, expressed confusion over the operation. She noted that a previous court order had halted demolitions, yet authorities proceeded without a new order overturning that judgment. Chengeta, a former street food vendor, is now homeless and has set up a makeshift shelter in the area rather than returning to rent.

Joachim Nhete also lost his home after using his retirement package to build a house, an investment he estimates at over $10,000. The legal complexities of the situation center on a consent order issued by Justice Happias Zhou on October 29, 2025. This order barred the city from evicting specific applicants or demolishing their homes without a valid court order, though it did not automatically protect every property in the suburb.

Stanley Gama, a council spokesperson, told local media that the municipality was targeting structures whose owners had been repeatedly warned against illegal building. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume added that residents with approved plans should produce them during inspections. He declined to comment specifically on the legality of the St Martins demolitions.

Edgar Dzehonye, the principal housing director, stated that residents were warned because the area had not been adequately serviced. Precious Shumba of the Harare Residents’ Trust criticized the town planning department for issuing directives to municipal police to demolish homes protected by the court order.

The Zimbabwean Constitution prohibits eviction or demolition without a court order that considers all relevant circumstances. The National Human Settlements Policy also requires alternative accommodation before relocations. Residents claim they were not offered such housing.

The controversy reflects long standing issues in Harare’s land administration, including unauthorised sales and poor record keeping identified by a 2019 commission. David Jenje, chairman of the St Martins Residents Association, said most members paid deposits as far back as 2018 and received allocation letters in 2020. He called the demolitions illegal.

Local MP Trymore Kanopula has called for a halt to further demolitions until land allocations are audited. Minister Daniel Garwe stated that the government does not carry out demolitions and cannot interfere with court processes. For residents like Nhete, who lacks home insurance, the hope for restitution now rests with the courts.