Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) on Thursday called on the Government and local authorities to work collaboratively to ensure that the supply of serviced and appropriately designated residential land responds to the realities of urbanisation and the growing demand for housing.
Commending the ongoing demolition of unlawful structures and the need for a lawful, orderly and humane approach to settlements, the Commission said this would ensure that the quest for home ownership is not left to informal and unregulated arrangements that expose unsuspecting citizens to exploitation and eventual displacement.
It further emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for fraudulent land transactions, unlawful land allocations and the establishment of settlements in areas not designated for residential purposes.
“The law must be enforced against those who profit from the desperation and legitimate aspirations of home seekers, and appropriate investigative and accountability mechanisms should be brought to bear in addressing such practices. The Commission recognises the importance of orderly urban development and the need for human settlements to conform to approved planning frameworks, municipal by-laws, national development policies and applicable environmental standards.
“Compliance with these requirements is essential not only for the proper administration of our towns and cities, but also for the protection of public health, environmental integrity and the enjoyment of rights by present and future generations. The Commission accordingly acknowledges the responsibility of Government and local authorities to enforce the law and to safeguard public spaces, including environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, against unlawful occupation and development,” the ZHRC said.
The Commission said it is important that the enforcement of planning, municipal and environmental laws, while remaining firm and consistent, is undertaken with due regard to human dignity and the rights and welfare of affected persons.
“Where enforcement action becomes necessary, the Commission encourages that all applicable legal and administrative processes be observed and that every reasonable effort be made to mitigate the hardship occasioned by displacement. The exploration of practicable alternatives, where circumstances permit, is particularly desirable,” it said.
The Government was urged to strengthen national housing delivery strategies, with particular emphasis on expanding access to affordable and lawfully allocated residential land as well as promote a coordinated approach to urban development that responds to population growth and increasing urbanisation, while ensuring that the needs of low-income and vulnerable households are not overlooked.
The ZHRC said local authorities should adopt a more proactive and anticipatory approach to housing provision within their respective jurisdictions.
“This should include accelerating the development and allocation of appropriately designated residential land in response to existing and projected housing demand, progressively reducing housing waiting lists through transparent, equitable and efficient allocation systems, strengthening development control and monitoring mechanisms to prevent the emergence of unlawful settlements, ensuring that prospective homeowners have access to reliable information on approved housing schemes and designated residential areas and establishing effective platforms for engagement with residents and prospective homeowners on housing delivery, land allocation and urban development matters,” the Commission noted.
The Government and local authorities were also encouraged to intensify efforts to prevent and address the activities of land barons and other unscrupulous actors who unlawfully allocate or sell land to unsuspecting home seekers while law enforcement agencies were challenged to thoroughly investigate allegations of fraudulent land sales, unlawful land allocations, corruption and other related criminal conduct, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.
New Ziana
