Zimbabwe rights commission calls for humane demolitions
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on 263Chat
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is asking the government and local authorities to limit the suffering caused by demolitions of illegal homes. It calls for procedures to be followed and support measures for displaced families, particularly children and older people, 263Chat reports.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has called on the government and local authorities to make demolitions of illegal structures more humane, warning that the destruction of homes can cause severe financial hardship, psychological distress and displacement, according to a commission statement. It called for operations to respect human rights, families’ dignity and the applicable legal and administrative procedures.
The ZHRC recognises the need to protect public spaces, wetlands and other sensitive areas from illegal occupation. However, it is asking authorities to reduce the suffering caused to displaced people, particularly children, older people and other vulnerable groups.
The commission links the growth of illegal settlements to a shortage of affordable housing and legally allocated residential land. Some families are believed to have invested their savings in plots sold by informal intermediaries, before risking the loss of both their homes and money during demolitions.
The ZHRC therefore recommends increasing the supply of designated housing and land, making plot allocation more transparent, reducing waiting lists and improving monitoring of construction. Its position comes as the CCC and the Zimbabwean government discuss demolitions of informal businesses, announced on 30 October.
