Operation 'raise money'


By Lance Guma
20July 2005

After destroying the homes of the poor in the high density suburbs the government is turning the amnesty offered to the richer low density suburbs into a money making exercise. Residents there can now buy their way out of trouble by paying 23 million Zimbabwe dollars and have their plans 'regularized'. Officials have said the amount is the equivalent of the fine council has set for all illegal structures. Those who have lost their building plans will also have to pay a 'searching fee' of $Z150 000.

Most residents have said it is better to pay the 23 million than demolish their structures and rebuild again given the high cost of building materials and the lack of availability. Analysts believe the move shows the double standards of a cash-strapped government that is willing to do anything for money. MDC parliamentary spokesperson for local government, Trudy Stevenson, says apart from the obvious discrimination between the rich and the poor the Harare City Council is broke and has found a new way to raise money.

Stevenson says residents are planning to challenge the exorbitant fines being imposed. Asked why an unelected city council commission was making binding decisions under 'murambatsvina,' she said the Combined Harare Residents Association is challenging the extension of the term of office for the commission running Harare in the courts. Under the Local Government Act this cannot exceed 6 months and should only be for the purposes of facilitating elections for a Mayor and councillors.