Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Some families whose apartments and properties were destroyed by fire in Mbare suburb’s Matapi flat in 2017 are reportedly living in a beerhall.
The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) says they did not get enough assistance and have now resorted to staying in a disused Zororo beer hall near Mukuvisi River. Said CHRA in a statement:
Families of the Matapi Flat that was razed down by fire five years ago are living in a Council Beer Hall known as Zororo Bar after failing to get alternative accommodation.
In 2017 Matapi Flats Block 5 Southern was destroyed by fire leaving the tenants of fourteen families homeless and exposed to serious health risks.
Since their flat was destroyed by fire the families have not found help, a situation that has seen them living in the disused Council Beerhall which is near Mukuvisi River.
After the destruction of the Matapi Flat by fire, the victims of the fire lived in a hall which was open to members of the public and then later were relocated to the Beerhall for the purposes of privacy.
One of the women residing at the place told CHRA that they were relocated into the Beerhall following the inferno. She said the environment at the beer hall is not safe for children who can be raped or abused.
CHRA reports that the place has only one toilet which is also used by vendors and there have been perennial sewer bursts exposing the tenants to waterborne diseases.
The tenants are appealing to the government for the provision of alternative safe accommodation or land where they can build their own houses.
Fourteen families of a total of 50 people including children have been living in the disused Beerhall.
CHRA is calling for humanitarian intervention for the victims of the inferno and urges the government and the local authority to find alternative shelter or housing stands for the victims.
The association says Section 28 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe directs the state and agencies of government to take legislative and other measures to enable every person to have access to adequate shelter.
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