Minister Garwe Orders Demolition of Illegal Structures, Calls for Crackdown on Land Barons

Minister Garwe Orders Demolition of Illegal Structures in Harare

The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon Daniel Garwe, has urged the City of Harare to work closely with the central government to eliminate the threat posed by land barons operating illegally within the capital.

Addressing senior council officials and councillors at Town House in Harare on Monday, Minister Garwe issued a strong directive, calling for immediate action against illegal land sales and unapproved construction.

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Council Told to Ignore Name-Dropping Tactics

Minister Garwe emphasized that some land barons are using name-dropping tactics to intimidate building inspectors and city officials, creating a climate of fear that enables illegal developments.

He called on the council to remain firm and unapologetic in enforcing city by-laws, even when politically connected individuals are involved.

Illegal Structures Must Be Demolished on Sight

The Minister further directed that illegally built houses and buildings should be demolished immediately, ideally at the early stages of construction.

Minister Garwe’s Remarks Trigger Backlash

Minister Daniel Garwe’s recent remarks on cracking down on land barons in Harare have triggered criticism from Zimbabweans online. Some netizens argued that most land barons are politically connected and have strong links to City Council officials, making it difficult to remove them.

Here are some of the reactions;

@Patience Ruzema;

But ma land barons ese ari linked ku city council hawo kungoti vanenge vadiyrwa mari ndivo vanopazirwa futi toona pakuiswa vamwe futi kungibirirana chete

@Gedion Mariro;

Land barons apana anoigona iyo mu Zimbabwe mkuru those guys are highly connected am sure munosviziya ngatimgoitayi yema vendor timbochenesa twn now tozovadzosa hedu 2027 December kana early 2028

@Innocent Innomas Masedze;

How difficult is it to get rid of land barons…..
All land Barons wear Zanu pf regalia maybe that’s why it’s difficult to get rid of them

@Blessed Jairos Matandire;

The minister , his cronies and city officials are the biggest land barons

@Joshua Goredema;

You talking nonsense most land barons are in politics

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