NewsDay has expressed concern over the demolitions of structures deemed illegal which would have been erected by “poor people” while those by “rich people” are regularised by authorities.

The publication writes after Harare City demolished nearly 200 structures and houses in Budiriro suburb under the pretext that they were illegal structures.

NewsDay observes that the demolitions are only for the have nots while the haves are protected by authorities. Said the publication:

Sam Levy, the Chinese and Solomon Tawengwa got away with it when they built illegal structures. They were given an opportunity to regularise their structures and operate.

One thing is clear; if one has money and political influence, their transgressions can be overlooked. unlike the poor.

Looking at this abuse of the poor in isolation does not help.

There were reports that Long Cheng Plaza, also known as China City in Harare was illegally constructed since it was erected on a wetland.

The mall is still there years later.

NewsDay further claims that the Zimbabwean government now “represents capital, it is for capitalism, neoliberalism or Post-Washington Consensus,” adding that it was no longer following its scientific socialism for neoliberalism, “worshipping capital without any apologies.”

Ironically, the ruling party in its 2018 manifesto, promised to construct millions of houses to provide shelter for all and to cushion home-seekers from unscrupulous land barons.

Instead of providing the houses, the government is now demolishing the homes which the masses built on their own.

The victims of Budiriro demolitions are in the open when the summer rains have just started, this could not have happened if a rich man had a stand in the suburb.

–NewsDays

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