Harare Demolition Drive Threatens Thousands of Homes and Businesses
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Thousands of homes and businesses across Harare could be demolished as authorities intensify a citywide crackdown on illegal land occupations. The move is targeting settlements built on wetlands, public land, and sites reserved for schools and clinics, sparking fears of mass displacement.
Harare authorities have stepped up efforts to remove illegal developments across the city, placing thousands of homes and small businesses at risk of demolition. The campaign targets settlements built on wetlands, open spaces, public facility sites, and land occupied through unauthorized allocations.
City officials say the crackdown is aimed at addressing widespread land invasions linked to land barons, forged documents, and unlawful developments that violate planning regulations. While some settlements may qualify for regularisation, properties located on environmentally sensitive land or public-use sites will be excluded. The programme could affect more than 5,000 houses and numerous businesses, making it one of Harare’s largest urban enforcement actions in recent years.
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