By Staff Reporter
CHITUNGWIZA – CHITUNGWIZA magistrate’s court yesterday made a landmark ruling in favour of residents whose houses were set aside for demolition by Chitungwiza municipality.
In a statement released by the Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA), the presiding magistrate, Magistrate Mutetwa, ordered that Chitungwiza municipality must wait for a valid court order and follow legal processes before destroying people’s houses.
“Chitungwiza municipality must refrain and desist from destroying and or authorizing or causing the demolition and or destruction of applicants’ homes without a valid order to that effect from a competent court of law.” said Mutetwa.
The ruling was made under case number 70/18.
The judgement follows a provisional order issued on 9 February this year which barred the municipality from evicting occupants from the houses in Chitungwiza.
The municipality was also instructed to bear the cost of the suit.
CAMERA also applauded Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), for its representation of some of the 110 residents whose houses were shortlisted for demolition.
“This is a landmark ruling which affirms the supremacy of the constitution and promotes the upholding of the fundamental human rights and freedoms.” reads the statement.
