Ruwa Council Summons Engineer Over Tuckshop Demolitions
Sithandekile Mhlanga
Houses destroyed under Operation Murambatsvina in 2005.
Ruwa Ward Three councillor Lazarus Ndlovu says the demolitions were never discussed in council
WASHINGTON —
The Ruwa Town Council says it has summoned its town engineer, Anthony Mujuru, to a meeting after accusing him of ordering demolitions of illegal structures in the town without consulting the local authority.
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Joel Biggie Matiza, told The Herald newspaper on Friday that the government is not responsible for the ongoing demolitions in Ruwa and Damofalls, as it is still waiting for an audit to begin its clean-up exercise in Chitungwiza and Seke.
Mr. Matiza said local authorities in those areas are responsible for the demolitions. He assured residents that the government’s clean-up exercise will be carried out in an orderly manner as affected people will be given adequate notices to vacate the premises prior to the demolitions.
The clean-up exercise in Ruwa and Damofalls is targeting illegal tuckshops and has been condemned by human rights organizations and residents, who accuse politicians of allowing residents to build and operate in these structures to garner votes, only to turn against them after the elections.
Ruwa Ward Three councillor Lazarus Ndlovu said the demolitions were never discussed in council and they are being carried out by partisan municipal police on Mujuru’s orders.
Mr. Ndlovu said the Ruwa Council suspects that Mujuru is following governent orders but they will wait for his explanation next week.
