Harare Metropolitan Province Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Tafadzwa Muguti, said that all houses and developments around the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport area, including Arlington Estate and Retreat suburb face demolition.
Muguti said the developments in the Arlington and Retreat areas were done in violation of the Civil Aviation Act and the Airports Company of Zimbabwe Act.
He said all the houses that are within the red zone affect the operations of the airport and should therefore be demolished.
Muguti revealed that the Government was approaching the courts for a demolition order. He said:
The authorities should have ensured compliance with the Original Town and Country Act.
We have had these land developers and land barons who were involved in developments that are not in line with the Act for years.
These illegal settlements have taken place while authorities were watching.
For a long time, Hatfield residents raised concerns about these settlements but nothing was done.
Government now needs to exercise its authority in this instance because the land around airports is considered to be a national security issue.
Government should not beat about the bush, they must stop these developments and protect State land.
