The MDC Alliance is strongly opposed to the oncoming houses demolitions in Chitungwiza by the ZanuPf led central government, through the office of the Provincial development coordinator, (PDC).

He has used council officials to carry out such a heinous act in the midst of the rains and the deadly pandemic, this has been done without the authority or a resolution of the council. This is a clear act of interference with the work of the council which is against the spirit and letter of devolution agreed upon by Zimbabweans in chapter 14 and section 274 of the constitution.

We consider this move in the same lenses as we viewed operation Murambatsvina and all the houses demolitions inclusive of the most recent ones that happened in Budiriro, Ruwa et al; they are inhumane, inconsiderate and evil.

Judging by the constitution of Zimbabwe and the numerous political manifestos in the run up to the last election, it is the government’s duty to construct shelter for the Zimbabweans and not to destroy it ,for citizens pay taxes to government for purposes of development and not degeneration.

It is with utmost disgust that the ministry of local government is abusing state institutions and overriding MDC Alliance run councils to impose destruction instead of construction of homes. As if it is not enough,the illegitimate ZanuPf government is deploying lawfare to victimize all MDC Alliance mayors and councillors who are opposed to houses demolitions.

We are very much aware that land barons belong to ZanuPf, the people are very much conscious that the technical wings of councils are controlled by the ZanuPf led central government and these two entities cooperated to fleece citizens of their hard earned monies and allowed them to erect housing structures in the full glare of the authorities only for them to declare completely built houses illegal and be demolished.

Many of our councillors have been arrested for standing with and for the people and that is the reason why Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume is unjustifiably imprisoned, that is why our councillors are being illegally recalled and arrested on trumped up charges.

We would like to reiterate that the MDC Alliance is a party of the people, by the people, for the people and will always stand by the people in accordance with our social democratic ideology and the Smart Cities Agenda launched in March 2020 at the Smart Councils Festival by the People’s President morning Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

We stand with the people against housing demolitions.

Clifford Hlatywayo
MDC Alliance Deputy National Spokesperson