THE Bulawayo City Council has destroyed housing structures built by Zanu PF supporters, who had invaded properties and parcelled land among themselves. NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER Zanu PF supporters occupied Mazwi Nature Park, Hyde Park Estates and Dunstal council farms, before occupying other private properties, including a farm owned by Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa.
The Zanu PF invaders claimed that the properties were underutilised, lying idle and unoccupied, justifying the invasion of the farms.
They refused to heed a call by the Zanu PF provincial executive to vacate the council properties, dismissing them as “bourgeoisies” who did not support poor landless Zimbabweans.
The council approached the High Court that ruled the invasions as illegal, with judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo, in late August, giving the council a green-light to destroy structures built by war veterans.
“The Dunstal invaders had since moved out of the farm and demolishing of structures was in progress, approximately 90 plus structures had been pulled down,” in part reads the latest council minutes of Environmental, Management and Engineering Services committee.
“The logs were being collected and would be distributed to three firewood selling points, which were Millennium Emganwini, Mabutweni Park and Central Parks.
“Several structures had been demolished at Hyde Park Estates.”
Gold panners were arrested at Dunstal Farm during the operation, the minutes added.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The council is, however, yet to obtain an order giving it authority to destroy structures built by Zanu PF invaders at Mazwi Game Park.
“The eviction of these illegal settlers would commence soon after a court order had been finalised.
“The joint operation between ZRP, council security guards and rangers was conducted at Dunstal Farm from August 15 to 22,” the minutes read.
“A total of 13 illegal gold panners were arrested, an increase of 61,91% from last month.”
Council farms are owned by the local authority through its commercial division, the City of Kings.
