‘No Government Law Says Houses Should Be Demolished’: Minister Garwe Speaks On Operation Chenesa

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has insisted that the Government is not targeting people’s homes under Operation Chenesa, saying the programme is intended to protect citizens from demolitions rather than destroy their properties.

He said there is no government law providing for the demolition of houses, arguing that the clean-up exercise is aimed at addressing illegal activities and restoring order in urban areas.

“There is no government law that says houses should be demolished. We are actually protecting citizens from demolitions,” Garwe said during a press conference in Harare.

Despite the progress recorded so far, Government is not ending the nationwide clean-up exercise, with authorities expected to continue enforcing regulations governing illegal trading, unauthorised structures and urban planning.

Also Read: Harare Council Gives Homeowners 14 Days Before Demolition Action Begins

Government To Continue Enforcing Municipal By-Laws

Operation Chenesa is being implemented across all 92 local authorities, with enforcement focusing on illegal businesses, unauthorised structures and activities that violate municipal regulations.

The programme also covers public health and urban planning requirements as Government seeks to improve sanitation, protect public infrastructure and create orderly urban environments.

Garwe said modernising cities remained a key Government priority, linking the initiative to the country’s ambition of attaining upper middle-income economy status by 2030.

“The modernisation of our cities is an absolute, irreversible Ministry mandate, as that speaks to the attainment of an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.

Government Plans Vending Sites In All 2,500 Wards

Alongside continued enforcement, Government is turning its attention to providing informal traders with legal and suitable places to conduct their businesses.

Garwe said the next phase would prioritise establishing vending facilities across all 2,500 wards in the country.

“Whilst the clean-up operation has been largely successful, focus is now on the provision of vending sites in all the 2 500 wards countrywide,” he said.

Local authorities have been directed to establish designated vending zones equipped with adequate water supplies and sanitary facilities.

Existing markets that have fallen into disrepair will also be renovated urgently to provide traders with hygienic and properly maintained working spaces.

Operation Chenesa Records 35,365 Cases

Figures released by Garwe show that 35,365 illegal businesses and activities have been affected since the start of Operation Chenesa.

Of these, 16,529 illegal structures have been dismantled and removed from unauthorised locations, while 1,446 arrests have been made for various violations.

The enforcement exercise has also resulted in the collection of US$118,553 and R1,000 in fines from non-compliant operators.

Municipal police have further seized hundreds of cartons of illicit drugs and substances, as well as significant quantities of prescription-only medicines, including steroids, as the operation expands to address the circulation of illegal substances.