Thousands of Harare families devastated, Houses destroyed in fresh Murambatsvina today

More than four thousands Harare families were left homeless as their houses were demolished by Bak Storage excavators and graders, with the company claiming ownership of the land.

Houses worth millions of dollars at Tirivepano and Nyashadzamwari housing co-operatives were all razed to the ground in the now familiar Harare housing cooperative scams.

Today, reporters witnessed houses being razed down while several families were trying to salvage a few belongings such as roofing material left after the demolitions.

Some of the affected families who spoke to journalists said the demolitions follow a longstanding land dispute between Bak Storage and the co-operatives which saw the courts ruling in favour of the company.

Harare Provincial Administrator, Mr Edward Tome visited the two co-operatives to engage the two parties and the Deputy Sherriff on what led to the demolitions which he described as catastrophic.

What worries most of the cooperative members is the timing as the demolitions will expose the affected families and school going children to the imminent rains.

The minister responsible for local housing, Saviour Kasukuwere, was not available when asked for his opinion on the situation.

More details follow…