allowing them to thoughtfully answer questions in their own words
and add meaning to their answers. Being on the ground also
provided an insight into the extent of the demolitions as well as the
destruction.
4.3.2 Community members who were interviewed confirmed that their
houses had been demolished on the 23rd of March 2017 even though
there were several court orders barring the respondents from doing
so. They highlighted that those who carried out the demolitions
purported to be members of the ZRP acting on instructions from the
First Lady to evict the complainants. The complainants highlighted
that they were willing to move if they were allocated other pieces of
land but they also wanted a notice period as they were still to harvest
their crops. They had not yet received any humanitarian assistance
from any organisation and they were in dire need of shelter and food
and children needed to go to school.
5.
Legal Framework
a. Constitutional Framework
The Constitution of Zimbabwe is the supreme guideline within the national
legislative framework in as far as demolitions at Arnold Farm are concerned. The
following sections of the Constitution are relevant;
Section 51 on the right to human dignity
Section 52 which provides for the right to personal security
Section 53 on freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment
Section 66 which provides for the right to freedom of movement
Section 68 which provides for the right to administrative justice
Section 71 which provides for the right to property
Section 72 which provides for the right to agricultural land
Section 74 which provides for freedom from arbitrary eviction
Section 75 which guarantees the right to education
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