Harare intensifies crackdown on illegal land barons

Harare City Council is escalating raids on illegal land dealers, warning barons of prosecution and demolition of unapproved structures. The Daily News reported that authorities are targeting settlements on wetlands and state land. The crackdown follows years of chaotic urban expansion that enriched Zanu PF-linked figures. The city lacks resources to resettle displaced families, risking political backlash ahead of local elections. The vulnerability: without a resettlement plan, the crackdown may create a humanitarian crisis.