City of Harare Defies Court Order, Leaves Mbare Residents in Squalor
The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has blasted the City of Harare for brazenly defying a High Court ruling that compelled the municipality to rehabilitate the crumbling infrastructure at 58 flats in Mbare.
Nearly six months after the landmark court order was issued, residents remain trapped in appalling, hazardous conditions that have sparked outrage from rights advocates.
“The City of Harare is openly defying a court judgment that ordered them to rehabilitate the sewer and water infrastructure for the 58 flats in Mbare,” CHRA said in a statement.
“Despite the court’s directive, residents are still living in squalid and intolerable conditions. This poses a significant health risk, especially with the potential spread of waterborne diseases.”
Images and reports from the flats paint a grim picture of broken sewers, uncollected refuse, and crumbling buildings—conditions unfit for human habitation.
“This is the current situation at the flats! When will the City of Harare prioritize the well-being of its citizens?” CHRA asked.
“We call on the authorities to comply with the court order, rehabilitate the infrastructure, and provide safe and healthy living conditions.”
According to Spike media, no official comment had been obtained from the City of Harare at the time of publication.
The Court’s Verdict: A Call for Urgent Action
On 11 December 2024, High Court Judge Justice Nyaradzo Munangati-Manongwa ruled in favor of Harare resident Israel Mabhoo and CHRA, who jointly sued the City of Harare along with several government ministers for condemning Mbare residents to live in degrading conditions.
Represented by human rights lawyer Denford Halimani of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the applicants argued that the local authority had violated its legal obligations under both common and statutory law.
The judgment was clear and damning: the City of Harare had failed its duty as both landlord and public authority.
Justice Munangati-Manongwa ordered the immediate rehabilitation, renovation, and refurbishment of the hostels in Matapi, Matererini, Mbare Flats, Nenyere (Magaba), and Shawasha. Essential services—including water and sewer systems, refuse collection, sanitation, fire safety infrastructure, and even temporary shelter—were to be urgently restored or provided.
Government Ministers Also in the Dock
The ruling didn’t spare top government officials. Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe and National Housing Minister Zhemu Soda were directed to provide temporary accommodation and ensure basic services during the rehabilitation process.
Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora was ordered to intervene under the Public Health Act to prevent outbreaks of disease, while Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni was told to act against pollution in and around the hostels.
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
Despite the clarity of the court’s directive, CHRA says the local authority and ministries have failed to act—further endangering lives and eroding public trust.
The continued neglect has revived long-standing frustrations over urban governance, service delivery, and human dignity in Zimbabwe’s capital.
With no sign of progress and no official explanation, the question remains: How long will Harare’s forgotten residents wait for justice, dignity, and a safe place to call home?
