Zimbabwe Squatters Go to Court

Residents of a small squatter community in Harare have filed a lawsuit challenging their eviction. The judges of a lower court have ruled that the squatters forfeited their claim that they were given the rights to build by the government when they failed to file building plan applications for their homes. This case is now being appealed.

Of course, if successful, this case would only affect the small group of squatters who were explicitly relocated by the government. And, in a country where the ruling party influences all branches of government, it may be difficult to get a fair hearing.