Harare City Council yesterday deployed municipal police to repossess an internationally recognised wetland on the east side of Monavale Vlei and demolished all illegal structures erected at the site by a group of suspected war veterans.
By Tinotenda Munyukwi
When NewsDay arrived at the scene, the illegal settlers were still collecting their belongings, although they claimed they had paid $6 000 to Limpopo Housing Co-operative for the stands.
The settlers’ spokesperson, Noah Kambanje, is on record claiming they were granted permission to settle on the wetland by Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
But Kasukuwere denied it, saying his ministry followed recommendations given by the Environmental Management Agency.
Council spokesperson, Michael Chideme yesterday defended the demolitions and urged residents to report any dubious housing co-operatives to the police.
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“That place is a wetland and, as City of Harare, we stand for the preservation of wetlands. We cannot fold our hands while people disturb the ecosystem like that,” he said.
“This is why we say people should report to the police anyone fleecing them of their money, while promising them land to build houses on.”
Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, which protects wetlands.