Today, VP Biti of the MDC Alliance scored a major victory for the homeless people of Zimbabwe.

In a case he argued on behalf of the Homeless People Confederation Against the Minister of Local Government in the Supreme Court, the court ruled that the right to shelter is indeed a justiciable right based on the provisions of the Constitution of the country .

This victory pleases us as it is a victory in one of our key fights for 2020 as pronounced by President Nelson Chamisa in January this year: The fight for better livelihoods.

Today as The MDC Alliance Departmnet of Local and Rural Development, we congratulate VP Biti for this victory for the people’s Livelihoods.

Government , through the Ministry of local Government has a key responsibility to enable availability of quality shelter for the people , and not destroy people’s shelter and homes, and should henceforth be compelled to gather resources , from prescribed assets and other sources for massive housing development in unplanned settlements and in rural areas of Zimbabwe.

This includes setting aside money for research in universities and colleges so that cheaper construction materials can be developed thus making housing more affordable. We have to see concrete steps to reduce the more than 2 million urban Housing waiting list and improvement of the quality of shelter in the rural areas.

Let us as Zimbabweans celebrate this landmark victory for our rights

Sesel Zvidzai

Secretary for Local Gvt and Rural Development