Cloverdale Families Left Homeless After Sudden Home Demolitions
What began as a typical workday for Ashel Chibutse ended in devastation. The 43-year-old returned to Ruwa (Cloverdale farm) only to find his four-roomed house flattened and his family of five out in the cold, their belongings scattered and home reduced to rubble.
Chibutse is one of hundreds of families forced out of Cloverdale Farm last Friday after authorities carried out sudden demolitions, leaving residents with no alternative shelter but the edge of the Harare-Mutare highway.
The affected families had settled on land reportedly sold by land barons.
The farm, once owned by former Cabinet minister Petronella Kagonye, was allegedly parceled out without formal ownership documents, with stands sold to aspiring homeowners.
“I got my stand in February and finished construction in six months. So, since August, we have been living in Cloverdale.
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“When we came here, we were told that the stands were being given to Zanu PF youths,” said Chibutse.
“We were not given any papers. We were just told to go and see Chairman SaMutoko—he would give you a piece of land—and true to that, I was given a stand.”
The demolitions unfolded quickly and violently.
“I was alerted earlier in the morning that houses were being demolished while I was at work.
“When I was near Ruwa, that’s when I was told that Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers were beating people,” Chibutse said.
According to NewZimbabwe.com, the area remained tense when their reporters visited shortly after the demolitions, with a heavy police presence and residents visibly distressed.
“We were chased by police dogs. Now we have nowhere to go. Children who were supposed to go to school are in a difficult situation.
“We are now destitute, and we will live here until we find accommodation,” said one Ndlovu.
Clashes reportedly erupted as residents resisted the evictions.
“Police officers were beating anyone they came across. The beatings intensified when it was reported that some police officers had been killed.
“They were baying for the blood of all the men, and some were beaten thoroughly,” Chibutse added.
Now, the displaced families are enduring harsh conditions along the highway, hoping for answers and a place to call home again.
