Harare City Council Fights High Court Ruling To Fix Mbare Flats
Harare City Council is under fire for trying to reverse a High Court judgment that ordered it to renovate the dilapidated Mbare flats and provide basic water and sanitation services.
The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has strongly condemned the move, saying the City Council is trying to “challenge its mandate and responsibility.”
Council appeals court order
Harare City Council has filed an application at the High Court to overturn a judgment issued by Justice Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa. The court had ruled that the council must urgently improve living conditions at Matapi, Matererini, Nenyere, and other Mbare flats.
The appeal is set to be heard on 18 July 2025 before Justice Manyangadze.
In a strongly worded post on X, CHRA Director Reuben Akili said:
“The situation in Mbare Flats is dire, and their right to health is under siege. It’s shocking that a local authority goes to court challenging its mandate and responsibility, clearly indicating the total neglect.”
The residents’ group, which successfully brought the case against the City of Harare, said it is appalled by the council’s latest legal manoeuvre.
In a statement, CHRA said:
“The City of Harare has sparked outrage after launching an appeal to reverse a High Court judgment (HCH4825/24) compelling it to rehabilitate Mbare Flats and provide residents with basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.”
‘A public health disaster in the making’
The living conditions in the flats have continued to deteriorate, with overflowing raw sewage, water shortages, and broken infrastructure now a daily reality.
CHRA has warned that the situation may soon escalate into a full-blown health disaster:
“The court had ruled that the city must take immediate action to restore dignity and protect public health by upgrading the dilapidated and unsanitary Mbare hostels, which have long suffered from broken sewer systems, water shortages, and unsafe living conditions.”
“Now, instead of complying with the judgment, the City of Harare is fighting to reverse the ruling, raising alarm bells among housing rights advocates and public health experts.”
Many residents live in overcrowded rooms with little ventilation and no proper waste disposal. According to CHRA, the council’s decision to appeal the ruling could worsen the crisis:
“This move threatens to deepen the housing and hygiene crisis already faced by thousands of Mbare residents, many of whom live in overcrowded, hazardous environments.”
‘What’s next for Mbare?’
The legal battle has triggered intense public backlash. The original X alert from CHRA read:
“Alert!! City of Harare fights to reverse Court Order to rehabilitate, provide basic water and sanitation services to the residents of Mbare Flats, sparking concerns over housing, health and hygiene crisis. What’s next for Mbare?”
The council’s refusal to carry out repairs despite a court order has raised broader concerns about governance, accountability, and the enforcement of constitutional rights.
Housing activists are now calling on national government bodies, such as the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Health, to intervene urgently.
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The post Harare City Council Slammed For Fighting High Court Order To Fix Mbare Flats appeared first on iHarare News.
