By Paul Nyathi|The Chitungwiza Magistrates courts on Monday issued a judgement blocking council from its persistent demolition of residents’ houses.

The court delivered a judgement in favour of residents under case number 70/18 where Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) was representing some of the 110 residents whose houses were earmarked for demolition by the municipality.

This follows the 9th of February 2018 provisional order which was granted barring the municipality from evicting occupants and demolition of structures in Chitungwiza.

The Magistrate ordered that “Chitungwiza municipality must refrain and desist from destroying and or authorizing or causing the demolition and or destruction of applicants’ homes without a valid order to that effect from a competent court of law”.

The municipality was also instructed to bear the cost of the suit.

In a statement, Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) applauded the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) for representing the residents of Chitungwiza in this case.

“This is a landmark ruling which affirms the supremacy of the constitution and promotes the upholding of the fundamental human rights and freedoms,” said the residents representatives.