Tinotenda Hove – Opposition leader Michael Makaza has issued a strongly worded appeal to the Government and the City of Harare demanding an immediate halt to house demolitions in Hopely and Mt Hampden, warning that the exercise is plunging vulnerable families into crisis during the peak of the rainy season.

In a letter dated 11 February 2026 and addressed to the Minister of Local Government and the Mayor of Harare, Makaza, who leads the Freedom Fighters for Change (FFC), described the demolitions as deeply troubling and in urgent need of intervention.

“Re: Urgent Appeal to Halt House Demolitions in Hopely and Mt Hampden,” reads the subject of the letter, which calls attention to the humanitarian consequences of the operation.

Makaza said the demolitions have left “many families without shelter, especially during this rainy season,” stressing that the timing of the exercise has worsened the suffering of affected residents.

“We write to express concern about the ongoing house demolitions in Hopely and Mt Hampden, leaving many families without shelter, especially during this rainy season,” he said.

The FFC leader urged authorities to immediately suspend the demolitions and adopt a more humane approach to urban planning and enforcement.

“We urge the government and City of Harare to immediately halt demolitions, provide alternative shelter for affected families, and engage with communities to find sustainable solutions,” Makaza stated.

According to Makaza, families whose homes are being torn down have been left stranded, with no clear relocation plan or safety net in place.

“Affected families have nowhere to go, and their properties are being destroyed,” he said.

“We appeal for compassion and action.”
The demolitions in Hopely and Mt Hampden come amid ongoing tensions over housing and land allocation in Harare’s peri-urban areas, where many residents have built homes amid disputes over land ownership and compliance with municipal regulations.

Makaza’s intervention adds political pressure on both central government and local authorities to balance enforcement of planning laws with the protection of vulnerable citizens.
As heavy rains continue to pound parts of the capital, the fate of displaced families remains uncertain, with calls growing for authorities to prioritise humanitarian considerations over punitive action.