HERALD

INVESTIGATIONS into the alleged unlawful eviction of tenants from council houses in Harare end today with councillors giving evidence.

Senior council officials, including chamber secretary Mrs Josephine Ncube, director of urban planning services Mr Psychology Chiwanga, and human resources director Mr Cainos Chingombe yesterday gave their evidence.

Senior housing officials were also interviewed.

Members of the public continued to give evidence with some alleging council officials were harassing them by daily coming to the houses and telling them to move out.

Ms Spiwe Nyamadzawo, who stays in Room 502m at Trafalgar Court, said: "I have told city officials to allocate me a residential stand but they are refusing.

"Where do I go? My husband worked for the city but unfortunately he died."

The media were not allowed into the interview room with investigators saying they wanted officials and members of the public to freely give evidence.

The investigating team, headed by lawyer Mr Pisirayi Kwenda, had initially said it would conduct public hearings.

Mr Kwenda said they might recall some people who gave evidence following revelations that required further clarification.

Last week, the committee interviewed Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda and town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi.

The committee also visited Glen Norah to meet district officials and affected families.

Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo will get a report of their findings and will subsequently take appropriate action.

In a statement, Mr Kwenda said: "All interested persons are invited to give oral evidence during the interviews."

The interviews start at 8:30am and end at 4pm.

Several councillors and council officials have been implicated in the clandestine eviction of tenants.

Dr Mahachi’s role in the evictions and allocation of houses to councillors has come under the spotlight.

Harare residents have demonstrated against councillors and officials on two occasions.

About 13 MDC-T councillors have so far been implicated in the house takeovers, but some of them are now blaming management for misleading them.