The government in partnership with Non Governmental Organization {NGO] and other stakeholders has donated groceries and clothes to 13 families who were affected by fire last month in Mbare.
The donations included tents from the Civil Protection Unit {CPU} and sanitary wear.
The fire left the 13 families with nothing as most of their belongings were burnt by the fire.
Addressing Journalists in Mbare today, Provincial Development Coordinator for Harare Metropolitan Province Mr Tafadzwa Muguti said the government saw it fit to assist the families who lost their property whilst promising that the government was working on housing plans which was meant to decongest Mbare Flats.
Mr Muguti also appreciated NGOs and other stake holders who partnered with government in buying groceries, clothes, sanitary wear and tents. The tents will be used to accommodate the affected families.
“Essentially what we have managed to do with the help of other development partners, we have actually managed to give them foodstuffs, we have given them pots, blankets and clothing especially for children so that they can be able to have something which can sustain them.
“Moreso, from the look of things in Mbare we are looking forward to build better houses, there is the ministry of housing which is working on the agenda that they want to build flats. The whole idea is to decongest Mbare,” said Muguti.
Meanwhile, Mr Casper Chimhuka who is a health promoter at Mbare Matapi appreciated the government’s donation adding that as Mbare residents they will be happy if the government refurbish all Mbare flats.
Mbare was the first black township in Zimbabwe and was established in 1907 . It was originally called Harari and much of it was constructed after 1950. In 2001, over 500,000 people were displaced from their Mbare homes when the council demolished 145,000 homes they declared were illegal.
 Significant portions of Mbare were destroyed by police and military forces during Operation Murambatsvina in May 2005, when the then President Robert Mugabe described the inhabitants as “people without totems”.
