The Zimbabwe Homeless Peoples' Federation (ZIHOPFE) has sent this urgent alert:

The Harare Municipality is wantonly destroying backyard shacks in most of Harare's high-density suburbs. The latest victims are the Jo'burg Lines of Mbare where 200 families had their homes raised to the ground in a pre-dawn raid despite an earlier agreement by the Commission running the city to halt these demolitions until some form of dialogue had been entered into.

 March 29

In the words of the acting commissioner Mrs Chizema:

 '' Harare is being reduced into a town of cabins and backyard shacks and the commission is not going to allow that. Our resolution to demolish illegal structures still stands and we are not going to stop at anything.  Residents should know that there are by-laws they have to abide by and the commission has no sympathy for whoever violates the by-laws and is going heavy handed on such issues''

 The Commission running Harare has no mandate from the people as it was appointed by the Minister of Local Govt after he dissolved a corrupt City Council two years ago.

 Over 500 000 Harare residents stand to lose their homes if the Council goes ahead and demolish all outbuildings in Harare.

ZIHOPFE asks that you please assist them by voicing your objections to this by writing to:

Commissioner Dr Elijar Chanakira 
Harare Municipality 
PO Box 990 
Harare  
Zimbabwe
Fax:(263-4) 751127 or 751124