By Lynette Manzini
The Harare City Council has raised concern over the increasing use of legal tactics by land barons and illegal settlers to block evictions and demolitions. The council says this is making it more difficult to control the spread of unplanned settlements on undesignated land.
Addmore Nhekairo, Director of the city’s Housing and Community Services Department, said land barons and individuals occupying unallocated land are strategically using legal avenues—also known as lawfare—to frustrate the council’s efforts to enforce urban planning laws.
Lawfare refers to the use of legal systems or procedures to delay or resist actions—such as evictions or demolitions. In this case, it means land invaders are using court processes to avoid being removed.
For years, Harare has been battling land barons who exploit desperate home seekers by selling them housing stands that are either unserviced, illegal, or not designated for housing. This has caused growing conflict between legal landowners and buyers who have unknowingly acquired plots on state, private, or council land.
The situation has been worsened by the council’s failure to keep an updated housing waiting list—a problem revealed during a City of Harare Commission of Inquiry by Housing Principal Officer Edgar Dzehonye.
Nhekairo denied that the city was failing in its duties, stating that delays are caused by the misuse of legal channels by land invaders.
“You find that when one invades an open space and erects a cabin, the next day the individual is already spreading napkins on the washing line.
“As council, we are required by law to acquire a court order to remove the particular individual.
“So, most of these invasions occur on Friday and Saturday so that they ride on laws that have more power than the human settlement policy.
“Again, obtaining a court order is a process. Meanwhile, the land invader continues constructing more permanent structures unabated.”
According to Section 74 of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution, no one can be evicted from their home or have their home demolished without a court order. This legal protection, while important for human rights, also complicates enforcement against illegal settlements.
In late 2024, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works suspended demolitions in Belvedere, after Harare Council had already destroyed 37 houses out of 5,000 illegally built structures.
However, Combined Harare Residents Trust Director Reuben Akili cast doubt on the council’s narrative, accusing officials of lax enforcement.
“It’s an indicator that there is complacency in terms of compliance and enforcement of planning bylaws,” said Akili.
Akili also questioned the seriousness of the council’s legal efforts, arguing that only a few court cases have been initiated—despite the large number of illegal settlements across Harare and other urban areas.
