The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has given its former employees a 90-day ultimatum to vacate some of the apartments they have been residing in for decades to pave the way for “renovations”.
Ownership of the apartments is being disputed as former employees claim to have purchased the units through a credit facility in the 1990s.
The matter is still before the courts.
In a letter dated January 29, 2024, James Chiwera, ZBC’s chief investment officer, asked the occupants to vacate the apartment.
“Please be advised that ZBC will be embarking on extensive renovations to Hatley House in line with its corporate strategy as well as to comply with City of Harare public health regulations.
“As a result, the contractor will commence external works effective January 29, 2024. You are given a 90-day notice period to vacate the building,” the letter read.
Former ZBC employees now claim they bought the flats through a credit scheme in the 1990s and ownership is in legal dispute.
They believe that the courts will rule in their favor.
“For decades, these weren’t just apartments, they were our homes,” said one former ZBC employee.
“Many of us have raised our families here and built our lives within these walls.”
While acknowledging the need for maintenance, they said the evacuation timeframe ignores their long-term residency.
“We are very happy to cooperate with reasonable updates,” the spokesperson said.
“But it is certain that alternative solutions can be found without pushing families onto the street, especially during the housing crisis.”
In an affidavit, Onias Gumbo, former director of marketing, administration and finance at ZBC, said he was instrumental in setting up an employee credit union where each employee contributed some money every month to purchase the apartment.
“This money has helped in the acquisition of properties in Harare and other cities, some of the properties purchased in Harare include Copper Queen, Dick King Didsbury, Sendton Court and Hatley House (the property in dispute here),” he said. Newsday
