Douala: Families Rendered Homeless as Land Dispute Causes Demolition of about 61 Houses

Reports say that there is pain and acrimony within the populations of a locality in Douala called "Carrefour Mützig" in Bonabèri.

TCR learnt that the pain stems from the destruction of about 61 houses therein as the tussle over the piece of land where the broken houses were built, continues between the affected populations and an economic operator.

Reports said the people of the locality were recently taken aback that the demolition exercise still took place even while the case pitting some inhabitants (mostly victims of demolition) and the economic operator is still in court (Bonanjo court of first instance).

TCR gathered that after the first phase of demolitions on May 31, 2018, local populations constituted themselves in a group and stormed the competent court.

Since then, there have been three hearings. That of June 12, 2018, that of June 19, 2018 and that of June 27, 2018. These hearings were held in the absence of the economic operator who claims to be the owner of the disputed piece of land.

According to a certain Paul Chibons, a member of the protest group, at the second hearing, the judges decided to visit the disputed land. He added that the goal of this visit was to see for themselves, the damage caused by the demolition and that after that, a verdict was going to be passed.

However, at press time, locals whose homes had not been touched feared that, they could eventually be demolished as well.

By a Correspondent