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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Operation Murambatsvina - Countrywide evictions of urban poor - Index of articles
Illegal
housing co-ops named
The Herald, Zimbabwe
June
03, 2005
http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?id=44029&pubdate=2005-06-03
MORE than 24
illegal housing co-operatives in Harare have been identified for
demolition while police increased the manpower deployed under the
clean-up operation.
Officials at some of the flashed-out co-operatives have over the
past two weeks been making frantic efforts to have the associations
registered so as to get Govern-ment and council recognition.
Police released a list of the illegal co-operatives and these include
Joseph Chinoti-mba in Glen View, Ivhu Rakauya in Aspindale, Chazezesa
in Kuwadzana, Tashinga in Dzivaresekwa 2.
Some of the co-operatives are based on such farms as Tarisa in Ruwa,
Ingle Brook, Calgary, Chitamba and Caledonia on the outskirts of
Harare.
On Caledonia Farm, only Mabvuku-Tafara and Tongoville co-operatives
are duly registered and recognised.
There are unnamed co-operatives on Solomio and Waverley farms.
According to the list released by the police, Mujibha naChimbwido,
Mapopoma, Cain Nkala and Lake View Housing co-operatives on Order
Farm along Beatrice Road are among the illegal schemes.
Tanganyika on Eyestone Farm, George Nyandoro on Lindhurst Farm and
Chombo Uta in Kuwadzana would be demolished.
Other illegal housing co-operatives are in Gunhill, behind the mayor’s
mansion, on Blafainby Farm in Waterfalls and near the Tobacco Research
Board.
Members of the Chazezesa Housing Co-operative yesterday visited
The Herald to register a complaint over the inclusion of their association
on the demolition list.
Chairman of the co-operative Mr Silas Mubhemi said Chazezesa was
registered on May 29, 1998 with the Co-operatives’ Association of
Zimbabwe.
An agreement of sale for the portion of land was also entered between
the co-operative and Harare City Council, he said.
The council went ahead and gave the co-operative a certificate of
occupancy dated September 11, 2004.
Mr Mubhemi said there could have been a mistake in the inclusion
of the co-operative, which has since developed 211 stands. Police
in Harare increased their details who are assigned to carry out
the clean-up campaign from 2 000 to 4 000.
Officer Commanding Harare Province Senior Assistant Commissioner
Edmore Veterai said the operation had reached its "final phase".
"We will deploy them tomorrow (today) morning and it is the final
phase of the operation," he said.
He warned those who were still residing in illegal structures that
the police would be out in full force until sanity prevails.
"And the police will not hesitate to arrest anyone involved in any
illegal activities that have a negative impact on the country’s
economy," said Snr Asst Comm Veterai.
Some affected families at Caledonia Farm which is being used as
a holding and transit centre have expressed willingness to return
to their rural homes.
Officer-in-charge at Caledonia Inspe-ctor Eunice Gamuchirai Marange
said at least nine families had indicated that they were willing
to go to their rural homes if they were provided with transport.
"We will take this up to the higher offices so that something can
be worked out to accommodate those who wish to leave.
"Others however, have said they will stick it out until they are
moved to the place Government allocates them. These have already
made themselves at home there," she said.
She urged authorities to put up a temporary health centre at the
farm where there are more than 155 people.
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