Court Says Cities Must Ask Judges Before Taking Homes.
Zimbabwe's highest court made a strong rule yesterday about houses. No city can tear down homes without first going to court. The judges said this helps keep people safe from quick house removals.
The case started in 2020 when a group from Chitungwira asked the court to examine old rules. These rules let cities knock down homes without first asking judges.
Judge Bharat Patel wrote the decision with six other judges. They all agreed that the old rules went against basic rights. The law must change to ensure homeowners can tell their side before any action is taken.
"Cities cannot just remove people from their homes," Judge Patel said. "They must follow fair steps." He added that city planning needs cannot beat people's right to keep their homes.
The court gave the government one year to fix the law. Cities must wait for a judge's approval before demolishing any house. This helps people in small houses, who often lose their homes with little warning.
Under the old rules, cities could send letters saying they would tear down homes. As time passed, workers came with machines, and homeowners had no chance to fight back.
Judge Patel said this was wrong. He said both sides must talk to a judge first. The judge then decides if the house should stay or go. This ensures that all facts are known before any action is taken.
The case resulted from talks last year, during which all sides agreed the old rules were bad. They also stopped plans to tear down homes in Chitungwira in 2020.
This change means much to people living in small houses. They feared losing homes at any time. The new rule gives them time to speak up. A judge must hear them before anything happens.
The court told three government offices to write new rules. These will make sure judges step in when cities want to tear down homes. Cities can still remove houses, but they must prove their case in court first.
Zimbabwe's highest court made a strong rule yesterday about houses. No city can tear down homes without first going to court. The judges said this helps keep people safe from quick house removals.
The case started in 2020 when a group from Chitungwira asked the court to examine old rules. These rules let cities knock down homes without first asking judges.
Judge Bharat Patel wrote the decision with six other judges. They all agreed that the old rules went against basic rights. The law must change to ensure homeowners can tell their side before any action is taken.
"Cities cannot just remove people from their homes," Judge Patel said. "They must follow fair steps." He added that city planning needs cannot beat people's right to keep their homes.
The court gave the government one year to fix the law. Cities must wait for a judge's approval before demolishing any house. This helps people in small houses, who often lose their homes with little warning.
Under the old rules, cities could send letters saying they would tear down homes. As time passed, workers came with machines, and homeowners had no chance to fight back.
Judge Patel said this was wrong. He said both sides must talk to a judge first. The judge then decides if the house should stay or go. This ensures that all facts are known before any action is taken.
The case resulted from talks last year, during which all sides agreed the old rules were bad. They also stopped plans to tear down homes in Chitungwira in 2020.
This change means much to people living in small houses. They feared losing homes at any time. The new rule gives them time to speak up. A judge must hear them before anything happens.
The court told three government offices to write new rules. These will make sure judges step in when cities want to tear down homes. Cities can still remove houses, but they must prove their case in court first.
