Mayor Jacob Mafume says the Harare City Council will not hesitate to continue demolishing structures which are illegally constructed at areas designated for sporting and entertainment purposes.
In 2020, Harare City Council, acting on court orders, demolished 134 houses in Budiriro 1, specifically targeting structures under the Events Housing Cooperative. The demolitions were part of a larger initiative addressing illegal settlements and structures built without proper planning and approvals.
Mafume was speaking in Budiriro 1Chimbumu grounds at a sporting tournament organised and hosted by Member of Parliament for Budiriro South constituency Darlington Chigumbu in partnership with Australia Embassy.
“We want to develop a world class sporting facility in Budiriro 1 and areas like these in a bid to revive the sporting activities. We want to promote the youth and fight against drugs and substance abuse. We want to rehabilitate the sporting infrastructure, as you know in Mabvuku, we are working with an MP to develop that stadium. We will be working with MPs to develop such kinds of stadiums. To those who are illegally building structures in such areas, the council will not hesitate to demolish and this is a fact,” Mafume said.
The sporting tournament which comprised soccer, volleyball and netball was graced by Isaac Matia, Deputy Head of Mission for the Australian Embassy. Matia said after extending sporting donations that inclusivity in sporting activities is very important in bringing people together regardless of differences.
In an interview with NewsDay on the sidelines of the tournament, Budiriro South constituency lawmaker Chigumbu said the target was to build a multipurpose world class sporting facility which will cater for many sporting activities.
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“Sporting activities such as soccer, volleyball and basketball including other sports which are popular this side. The reason we are doing this as a community is that we have seen a rise in the number of youths who are in drugs and substance abuse. Also, we have a lot of talent which is not recognised because we don’t have such facilities where they can showcase their talents,” he added.
