OVER 800 people have invaded two Harare City Council farms, where they are erecting structures, raising fears of a looming health catastrophe in the area.
BY MOSES MATENGA
Council has warned it would soon evict the invaders and destroy their structures at Crowborough and Ingwe Farm, where the local authority plans to build new sewer ponds.
Crowborough farm manager Jabulani Mbetu said the invaders were blocking council livestock from grazing. He said some local residents in areas such as Budiriro and Kuwadzana were now killing straying cattle.
“This settlement is undesirable because of sewer ponds. We are rehabilitating Crowborough sewage plant. Effluent is used to irrigate grazing pastures,” he said.
“This makes this place unsuitable for settlement.”
Council spokesperson, Michael Chideme said the illegal structures will be pulled down as council had already given notices to the invaders.
“They are illegal structures; we have been telling people not to buystands there. We will pull themdown because there are sewer ponds, it’s a health hazard,” said Chideme.
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Farms administrator Emson Zaware said the invaders came six months ago and this had affected sewage reticulation.
“Effluent is supposed to come through farms before it is taken to the lake. The weeds you see in the lake are caused by water effluent, so that’s what we are trying to avoid,” he said.
Harare City Council properties have been hard hit by invaders, who have taken over Carter House in Mbare among other properties.
