WASHINGTON DC —
The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) says conflicting statements by city fathers and government officials over pending illegal structure demolitions has confused many residents in the capital city.
CHRA chairman Simbarashe Moyo said the council should clearly spell out its intentions to avoid more confusion and chaos.
"We are actually worried by what is coming out (in the press), the position that we are hearing, positions coming from the City of Harare and also what is coming from the ministry of Local Government.
"The City of Harare is actually saying that they haven't met to decide as a full council to demolish illegal structures and so forth while the ministry is maintaining that they are going to move ahead after their fact-finding mission," Moyo said.
Town Clerk Tendai Mahachi told the state-controlled Herald newspaper that council has “parked” the plan to demolish illegal structures for engagement purposes, giving residents a two-month reprieve to negotiate the way forward before demolitions begin.
But Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni told VOA Studio 7 his council does not have plans to destroy illegal structures.
The Ministry of Local Government is meanwhile carrying out some form of audit in cities and towns targeted for illegal structure demolitions.
CHRA chairman Simbarashe Moyo said the council should clearly spell out its intentions to avoid more confusion and chaos.
"We are actually worried by what is coming out (in the press), the position that we are hearing, positions coming from the City of Harare and also what is coming from the ministry of Local Government.
"The City of Harare is actually saying that they haven't met to decide as a full council to demolish illegal structures and so forth while the ministry is maintaining that they are going to move ahead after their fact-finding mission," Moyo said.
Town Clerk Tendai Mahachi told the state-controlled Herald newspaper that council has “parked” the plan to demolish illegal structures for engagement purposes, giving residents a two-month reprieve to negotiate the way forward before demolitions begin.
But Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni told VOA Studio 7 his council does not have plans to destroy illegal structures.
The Ministry of Local Government is meanwhile carrying out some form of audit in cities and towns targeted for illegal structure demolitions.
