Mayor Jacob Mafume is facing mounting criticism after over 300 residents of St Martins were ordered to vacate their stands — land they insist was legally purchased from the City of Harare. The affected properties, situated along Airport Road opposite One Commando Barracks near the Catholic University of Zimbabwe, have become the epicenter of a heated dispute between homeowners and the city authorities.
Residents allege that the city resold the same land to the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), despite their lawful ownership, raising concerns of mismanagement and double-dipping in municipal land allocations.
The controversy escalated when the Acting Director of Planning, Samuel Nyabezi, issued a letter accusing residents of “unauthorised developments” in violation of city planning by-laws. The letter directed homeowners to cease all construction immediately and threatened enforcement actions should they fail to comply.
“You are hereby directed to cease all ongoing development activities and to restore the property to its original condition. Failure to comply will result in the City of Harare exercising its statutory powers to enforce compliance,” Nyabezi warned.
However, residents insist the directive is unjustified, pointing out that they were legally allocated the stands by the City of Harare in 2019. Through their representative, David Jenje, chairperson of the St Martins Pay Scheme, the homeowners accused the council of betrayal and mismanagement.
“We hold documented rights and interests in this land, supported by official records from the City of Harare, including the District Officer and Housing Director’s offices. We have offer letters, sale agreements, and receipts confirming full payment of the land value,” Jenje explained.
He added that many residents had already constructed or were in the process of constructing homes, with supporting infrastructure such as roads, sewer lines, and water reticulation already underway — all with the city’s prior knowledge and, in some cases, logistical support.
“Materials were even delivered to the site and stored at Council’s Remembrance Offices. Some of that material later went missing, and the city acknowledged responsibility,” Jenje said.
Supporting documentation obtained by ZimEye shows that each stand was sold for US$12,000. In April 2023, the Director of Housing and Community Services, Mr. Sithole, acknowledged the loss of residents’ construction materials and pledged to replace them once council authorization was granted. “This department has prepared a report seeking authority to replace the missing materials once Council accedes to the request,” Sithole wrote in correspondence to residents.
Harare Residents Face Eviction from Legally Purchased Stands, Mayor Mafume Under Scrutiny
Despite assurances, little progress was made, and communication between residents and the council broke down over time. After years of silence, the council issued an abrupt eviction order last week, sparking outrage among affected homeowners.
“It’s been four years since the project began. We paid the full land value and development fees, but now we are being told to vacate. This is daylight robbery by the same Council that sold us the land,” one resident lamented.
The eviction has reignited long-standing questions about governance and accountability within the City of Harare. The municipality has in recent years faced repeated allegations of corruption, double sales of land, and mismanagement of public resources, casting doubt over the transparency of its operations.
As the city’s mayor and head of municipal affairs, Jacob Mafume bears ultimate responsibility for resolving the controversy. Residents and civil society organizations alike are calling on him to intervene and provide clarity, restore trust, and prevent further injustices.
Attempts to obtain comment from Mayor Mafume or his spokesperson, Stanley Gama, were unsuccessful at the time of publication, leaving residents frustrated and concerned about the future of their homes.
For the St Martins community, the dispute underscores broader challenges facing urban land management in Zimbabwe’s capital. While residents follow legal procedures and fulfill financial obligations, they remain vulnerable to policy shifts, administrative errors, and opaque decision-making that threaten their investments and livelihoods.
Observers say the case could set an important precedent regarding citizens’ property rights, municipal accountability, and the ethical management of public land. Until Mayor Mafume addresses the crisis, the fate of the more than 300 homeowners remains uncertain, highlighting the urgent need for transparent governance in Harare’s land administration system.
Source– ZimEye
