Staff reporter
The ministry of Local Government and Urban Development exposed itself yesterday when it failed to account for the recent demolitions in Arlington Estate, an area earmarked for the expansion of the Harare International airport.
Speaking at a press conference at the ministry offices, deputy minister Christopher Chingosho said the ministry was making strides to arrest the situation and provide decent housing projects through flexible policies to benefit everyone as government is committed to making housing a cornerstone for economic growth.
Responding to questions on why they had let the houses at the airport settlements be demolished after 15 years of existence, a seemingly clueless Chingosho and George Mlilo (permanent Secretary) said the ministry had no proof of entitlement to the land and the residents had been fleeced by land barons.
“I’m not denying that, we are yet to check for the authenticity of these houses..We cannot establish their legality. So to us the structures were illegal. Anything illegal is a candidate for demolitions” Mlilo said.
Questioned on whether upon establishing authenticity, the victims would be compensated; Mlilo dodged the question saying they would only cross the bridge when they get there.
According to aviation experts, the area near the airport should not have been considered for a residential area in the first place. The experts cite that the area is strategic and building houses there is a potential threat to the residents and air passengers who arrive at night. The lights that guide the plane to the aerodrome could be confused with those in the residential area and could misguide the pilots to unsuspectingly land on top of the houses, endangering hundreds of lives.
A political analyst said it was funny that the government had only realized that the settlements were illegal after 15 years and attributed the demolitions to political persecution.
House demolitions have continued since 2005 and scores of people have been left stranded as the state and land barons continue to harass them.
