Harare- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has once again reiterated that the MDC dominated urban authorities are to blame for poor planning to a point where some homeowners have been settled on wetlands.
Zimbabwe has seen a lot of land fall into the hands of greedy land barons with strong political connections in both Zanu PF and MDC. The land is then sold to unsuspecting members of the public who then realise they are illegally occupying the land when councils demolish houses.
In his State Of The Nation Address, Mnangagwa said families which have suffered the misfortune should immediately be given open spaces to rebuild their homes.
“The current excess rains received across the country have exposed and lay bare the extent of the associated problems in unplanned urban settlements in our urban peri-urban and growth points,” Mnangagwa said.
“Henceforth, relevant ministries are being constituted into working groups that will focus on social service delivery as well as arresting the negative impact of chaotic, unplanned illegal settlements, growth points, towns and cities.
“Meanwhile, alternative spaces have to be urgently identified and developed for relocation of families with houses built on wetlands and other undesignated areas.
“The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities with other ministries, departments and agencies must immediately identify such areas and ascertain the quantum of affected households.”
Mnangagwa added, “Furthermore the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) should identify and designate all wetlands around the country as unsuitable spaces for human settlements.
“Going forward, boundaries marking rural and urban land must be enforced or redrawn according to relevant laws.
“The redress of this undesirable and worrisome situation is being urgently and decisively undertaken across all local authorities.The current urban local authorities have all failed us.”
