COURSE
DAT E
SPM 405
02 April 2025
Eviction Process in
Epworth
Historical Overview
EPWORTH EVICTIONS
Brief History of Epworth
Epworth, located southeast of Harare, Zimbabwe, is a peri-urban
settlement with deep historical roots. Originally established as a
Methodist mission in the late 19th century, it became a refuge
for marginalized and low-income populations over the years.
Lacking formal urban planning, the area grew informally,
attracting rural migrants seeking employment in Harare. By the
late 20th century, Epworth had become one of the largest
informal settlements in Zimbabwe, characterized by inadequate
infrastructure, poor sanitation, and lack of legal land tenure. Its
rapid expansion and informal nature led to government
interventions, including evictions like the 1990 operation linked
to the CHOGM meeting. Despite historical challenges, Epworth
remains a vibrant community with ongoing efforts toward
regularization, infrastructure development, and slum upgrading
initiatives.
Introduction
The eviction in Epworth was initiated by the
government in connection with the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The goal was to remove slums and conceal poor living
conditions from foreign dignitaries.
The eviction was enforced by the army and police.
Targeted areas included Chiremba and extended to
Ward 7 and eviction took place on April 10, 1990, at
approximately 2:00 AM.
Impact on Residents
Residents were allowed to take only three or fewer
possessions.Many perceived the eviction as unfair.
Displaced individuals were relocated to Porta Farm
near Norton
Porta Farm Holding
Camp
The holding camp was fenced and unsafe for habitation.
Entry required personal details and categorized cards were
issued based on income.
Households were separated according to income level.
The camp was kept a secret from the international
community as little was known about its existence
International and Local Reactions
QUEEN ELIZABETH II
U N I T E D N AT I O N S
GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE
The eviction was condemned by
Queen Elizabeth as it was seen as
a direct violation of Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
The United Nations raised
concerns about the displacement
and inadequate resettlement
conditions.
The government then attempted
to suppress awareness of the
eviction and its consequences.
Relocation to Dzivarasekwa (DZ) and Housing Efforts
R E LO C AT I O N T O D Z
Individuals with a source of income were
H O U S I N G I N I T I AT I V E S
LAUNCHED
issued
blue cards and transferred to DZ. 596 Log cabins
were constructed for the formerly employed.
WEAKNESSES' OF DZ
Cabins were inefficient and posed health risks
Introduction of the City of Harare
and noise pollution due to the oil paint.Holding
housing list under the Central Rates Fund and
camps lacked adequate sanitation and retail
The "Pay for Your House" scheme was introduced
services.
in 1994.
Perceptions,
Challenges, and
Learning from Other
Countries
• Residents viewed the holding camps as a form
of punishment for living in informal settlements.
• Lack of basic amenities forced individuals to
travel long distances for services.
• Researcher engaged with NGOs and traveled to
South Africa.
• Studied how South Africa managed informal
settlements.
• The visit provided insights into potential
solutions for Zimbabwe
Mobilization of Individuals and Types
• Civic society organizes affected groups to understand their situation and causes.
• Identifies solutions to current problems.
• Mobilization allows for collective bargaining and financial savings
POLITICAL
M O B I L I Z AT I O N
TECHNICAL
M O B I L I Z AT I O N
FINANCIAL
M O B I L I Z AT I O N
ECONOMIC
M O B I L I Z AT I O N
Joining political parties for
bargaining power.
Engaging specialists with
technical expertise.
Raising funds collectively
for major expenses.
Empowering people with
job opportunities.
Savings, Networks, and
Partnerships
Savings can be done at different levels:
• Group level.
• Network level (interconnected groups).
• National or global level (engaging international partners in
Latin America, Asia, Africa).
Mobilization involves partnerships with institutions such as:
• Universities.
• Local councils.
• NGOs.
• Technical experts.
Enumeration: Collecting data on squatter settlements to
identify needs.
Purpose of Mobilization
• Creating pathways to engage the government.
• Establishing a structured system for negotiations.
• Strengthening collective bargaining for better outcomes.
Government Policies
and Their Impact on
Slum Settlements
Study by Zimbabwe Women’s Federation found 65 slums in Harare.
•
study allowed Government and city council to
acknowledge
their existence which they previously denied.
•
Civil Society Groups and Community Based Organizations managed to
determine that current Zimbabwe National policies were outdated and
did not reflect ground realities this was gained through their
experiences and consultations with stakeholders
•
Groups then entered Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with
councils for slum upgrading initiatives after getting recognition as
drivers for urban development
•
Created a Slum Upgrading Finance Scheme involving multiple
stakeholders, including government and enterprises this led to the
provision of basic services (e.g., Seward slum upgrading, EcoSan toilets
in Chinhoyi and adding Ward 7 to the Power Grid and also a
development in street lighting to curb criminal activities.
Policy Development and
Community
Involvement
Policy Development in this context refers to the process of creating,
revising, and implementing policies that address the needs of people living
in slum settlements. It involves engaging various stakeholders, including
government bodies, civic organizations, and affected communities, to
develop inclusive and sustainable housing policies.
Key Takeaways
•
Need for continuous government-stakeholder meetings for informed
policy-making.
•
Civic society groups play a key role in communicating with slum
residents.
•
National
housing
policies
previously
ignored
community-based
organizations.
•
Policy dialogues led to recognition of individuals affected by past
evictions, such as Operation Murambatsvina (2005).
New Policy Initiatives
and Housing
Innovations
These are fresh strategies and frameworks introduced by the
government or civic groups to address challenges in housing and
slum settlements. They focus on slum upgrading, financial
empowerment, and inclusive urban planning through community
involvement and policy dialogues.
Key Takeaways
•
Policy engagement has led to projects like Dzivarasekwa, where
contractors were removed in favor of labor-based projects.
•
Financial empowerment of local residents by allowing them to work on
slum upgrading (e.g., trench digging).
•
Need for technical guidance from engineers on infrastructure
requirements.
•
•
Introduction of semi-detached housing units to reduce land costs.
Adoption of EcoSan toilet systems that function without sewer
reticulation, separating waste effectively.
Conclusion
The forced evictions in Epworth, like many others,
had devastating effects on displaced residents,
stripping them of their homes, security, and
dignity. The sudden demolitions disrupted lives,
forcing families into unsafe and poorly equipped
holding camps with limited resources. Many were
left homeless, financially strained, and struggling to
rebuild their lives. Beyond the physical loss, the
emotional and psychological toll was profound, as
individuals faced uncertainty and exclusion from
urban development plans. These evictions highlight
the urgent need for humane, inclusive, and
sustainable housing policies that prioritize the
rights and well-being of affected communities
which can only be achieved through rigorous
consultation with relevant stakeholders.