Small towns raise stink over Harare amnesty

By Lance Guma
20 July 2005.

The decision by authorities to allow Harare residents in low density suburbs the chance to pay fines for illegal structures has riled officials in other cities who are not happy at the discrimination. In Gweru various stakeholders met and resolved there would be massive protests if the amnesty was not extended to them. It is the feeling of many that Harare is home to the majority of Zanu PF politicians and that authorities are backing away from confronting rich and powerful individuals.

Gweru Urban MDC Member of Parliament, Timothy Mukahlera, says the police have already raided some areas of Ascot and Mambo in the city and the Harare u-turn smacked of protecting powerful politicians. Mukahlera has already met senior police officers and council officials and there was no real definite policy in place for the other towns. Gweru city council was collecting rates from some of the properties being demolished and government had to come to its senses over the operation.

The opposition MP is meeting Local Government and Housing Minister , Ignatius Chombo on Thursday and says they will know by then if the amnesty will spread beyond the boundaries of Harare.