The government has reaffirmed its commitment to regularising informal settlements nationwide by providing settlers with land titles and access to essential services.
Shingirayi Mushamba, Chief Director of Spatial Planning and Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works said that while some informal structures will be removed to facilitate the provision of essential services, the majority will remain intact.
Mushamba made these remarks during the recent annual general meeting of the Urban Development Corporation (UDCORP) in Harare. He said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200032381/govt-commits-to-regularise-informal-settlements">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
Regularisation including the issuance of proper title. The processes of regularisation require that there be an approved layout plan, approved by a respective local authority working in partnership with government entities.
Once a layout plan is in place, it provides for roads, for future servicing of the land. So what we will be doing essentially in those settlements, we will be looking at the structures that are on the ground, insofar as they fit in a pre-approved layout plan.
Some structures may be held on land which was reserved for certain particular uses. Efforts will be made to relocate those few structures that will be in such spaces. The majority will be regularised in situ.
Regularisation is then going to culminate in a partnership working with an entity called FANGU, which will then bring in services.
That is part of the process that will lead to the issuance of a title so conditions of urban settlement still be maintained.
</blockquote>
Thousands of people across the country reside in informal settlements, primarily located on peri-urban land, where they frequently pay for services that are never delivered.
Many of these desperate home seekers purchase land from politically connected land barons who often operate with impunity, seemingly beyond the reach of the law.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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The government wants to give people living in informal settlements land titles and services like roads and water.
They may remove some structures to make space for these services but most will stay.
People in informal settlements often pay for services they never get.
Some people buy land from powerful people who break the rules.
The government is working with a group called FANGU to provide services and give people land titles.

Government Reaffirms Commitment To Regularise Informal Settlements

Hundreds of illegal settlers in Retreat, Waterfalls, Harare are counting their losses after their dwellings were demolished on Friday last week.
More than 300 illegal structures were destroyed to allow Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church (UFIC) to occupy the land that the families had been allocated by land barons.
The demolitions took place in an area popularly known as kumaCongo because some of the illegal stands were occupied by Congolese.
The Congolose reportedly bought the stands from a land baron who was popularly known as Nkomo but is now deceased.
Anti-riot police were deployed to the area on Friday ahead of the demolitions and were ordering people to leave by 3.30 PM.
In December 2022, UFIC founder and leader, Makandiwa gave the illegal settlers time to remove their structures on their own.
One of the evictees told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200019179/honeymoon-over-as-thousands-evicted-from-makandiwa-land">NewsDay</a> that they thought that there would be no demotions since they bought the stands through a ZANU PF “chairman”. He said:
<blockquote>
We were aware that Makandiwa was the owner of the land because we were issued notices long back.
We were just relaxed thinking that there would not be demolitions since we bought the stands through ZANU PF “chairman”. 
Some stands were sold for between US$10 and US$20. Anyone could wear party regalia and sell. This usually happens towards elections.
Some papers even had the City of Harare stamps. Some stands were advertised on Facebook and unsuspecting people could buy for US$2 000.
</blockquote>
UFIC secured a court order to demolish the 300 illegal structures on 19 September 2022 under case no HC3515/21.
Part of the land is earmarked for a housing scheme by UFIC members, Operation Nehemiah Housing Project.
UFIC spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufakunesu told NewsDay that the settlers were given notice on several occasions. He said:
<blockquote>
We obtained a court order, but Father Makandiwa gave reprieve to the settlers in December fearing that their property could be damaged by rains.
The people were told several times that the land belonged to UFIC but they have remained at the place.
Land barons were selling the land and we kept telling people it was ours. Maybe they bought out of desperation.
</blockquote>
The cleric added that the land was earmarked for an orphanage, church and residential stands.
Kufakunesu said more than 500 housing structures, flats and single houses would be built.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Hundreds Evicted From Makandiwa's Land In Harare

United Family International Church (UFIC) founder, Emmanuel Makandiwa, has given more time to illegal settlers on a piece of land belonging to his church congregants to remove the structures and their materials.
On 19 September 2022, UFIC secured a court order to demolish about 300 illegal structures built on the piece of land in Retreat, Harare South.
The land belongs to UFIC congregants for a housing scheme, Operation Nehemiah Housing Project.
The squatters were supposed to be evicted within 48 hours from 21 November when they were served with an eviction order.
However, Makandiwa intervened and stopped the evictions and demolitions to give the squatters enough time to remove the structures on their own.
This was said by UFIC spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufa. He said:
<blockquote>
The Man of God implored us to consider the plight of the affected families notwithstanding the fact that they are illegal settlers.
He instructed us to ask the Sheriff to give the settlers time to pull down their structures and rescue their belongings.
He said he is touched by their situation and also felt the anxiety among our church members who are bonafide owners of the land, thus his bid to find a win-win solution.
Look, it is the rainy season, it’s really a difficult situation but the Prophet believes the temporary reprieve will give the settlers some time to find alternative accommodation.
</blockquote>
The settlers told NewsDay that they were grateful Makandiwa considered their plight and desperation. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200004996/makandiwa-gives-reprieve-to-squatters">NewsDay</a>

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