Thousands of housing co-operative members situated at Eyestone and Retreat Farms in Waterfalls and Koala Park along Seke Road are set to be evicted and their houses demolished after the City of Harare approached the High Court seeking eviction and demolition orders accusing the members of failing to comply with the city’s planning laws and regulations.
BY CHARLES LAITON
The housing co-operatives that have been targeted for eviction and demolition are cited as Mvurachenachena Housing Co-operative Society, Harare South Housing Apex Co-operative Society and Harare South Housing Union (Apex Board) that have been cited as first, second and third defendants respectively.
The other cited respondent is Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere.
In the court papers the City of Harare said it was granted rights, title and interest by the Local Government minister over Eyestone Farm for purposes of planned urban development, but the co-operatives were illegally settling people on the land.
“The first, second and third defendants (Mvurachenachena Housing Co-operative Society, Harare South Housing Apex Co-operative Society and Harare South Housing Union (Apex Board), as well as their members and others calling through them, are in illegal occupation of the farm, thereby, preventing the plaintiff from carrying out planned urban development thereat,” City of Harare said.
“The first, second and third defendants, as well as their members and others calling through them, are illegally erecting structures on the farm without regard to town planning laws and regulations.
“Plaintiff, by reason of having been allocated rights, title and interest, is entitled to evict the defendants, their members and all those calling through them.”
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The City of Harare further said in addition to seeking the eviction order, it was alternatively seeking an order to remove and/or demolish all structures, which do not comply with town planning laws and regulations.
“Wherefore, the plaintiff pray for: an order for the eviction of the first, second and third defendants, along with all their members and all those calling through them, from Eyestone Farm. And, an order for the removal and/or demolition of all illegal structures erected by the first, second and third defendants as well as their and all those calling through them, on Eyestone Farm upon the granting of this order by this honourable court,” City of Harare said, adding it was also claiming costs of suit.
The three cited housing cooperatives have since entered an appearance to defend notice and are geared to challenge the council when the matter is set down for hearing.
