Chamisa Slams Govt Demolitions As “Cruel, Heartless”
HARARE – Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has condemned ongoing demolitions of structures across the country, describing the actions as cruel, heartless and deeply inhumane.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X, Chamisa said no government should subject its own citizens to such treatment.
Chamisa wrote: “THE UNELECTABLE ARE HEARTLESS… This is cruel, heartless and deeply inhumane. No government should subject its own citizens to such treatment.”
“You allow innocent, hardworking citizens to invest their life savings, time and resources into building structures and establishing honest livelihoods. Then, at this late stage, you descend upon them with demolitions, destroying their investments, livelihoods and hopes for the future.”
“These are people trying to eke out an honest living, not criminals. Their dignity, rights and livelihoods must be respected and protected. Stop this madness. Stop the violations. Stop the persecution. Responsible leaders must protect citizens, not destroy them and decimating livelihoods citizens worked so hard to build.”
Chamisa’s remarks come amid fresh demolitions in several urban centres, including Harare, Chitungwiza and Ruwa, where local authorities backed by police have been pulling down what they term illegal structures, tuckshops, houses and market stalls.
The government says the demolitions are part of an operation to restore order, enforce city by-laws and clear land illegally occupied without council approval.
However, residents and human rights groups argue that many of the structures were built after paying fees to cooperatives, land barons linked to the ruling Zanu PF, or even local councils, only to be declared illegal years later without compensation or alternative land.
Critics point to a pattern: authorities allow settlements to develop for years, collect revenue, then demolish at short notice, leaving thousands jobless and homeless.
Chamisa, who has consistently framed the current administration as “unelectable” following the disputed August 2023 elections, has previously said demolitions are political punishment targeted at urban populations perceived to support the opposition.
The latest round of demolitions has left hundreds of informal traders and families counting losses running into thousands of US dollars.