Strathaven Squatter Camp:
A Haven or a Mirage?
In the heart of Strathaven, a low-density suburb often seen as a symbol of privilege, lies the Strathaven Squatter Camp a stark contrast to the lavish homes and manicured lawns that define the area. This small, overlooked settlement, tucked away at the back of Strathaven, is home to 31 residents 17 children and 14 adults whose lives remain shrouded in deprivation and struggle. A place that should be a refuge, instead becomes a harsh reminder of Zimbabwe’s growing divide between the haves and the have-nots.
Upon our visit to the camp, together with the Legal Resources Foundation, we were immediately confronted with some of the most heartbreaking realities. Among the prominent issues, the lack of documentation stood out. Many of the adults in the camp do not possess national IDs, some having lost them over time, while others have never had one. The reasons for this are varied, but a central theme emerged: most of these individuals have no living relatives who could vouch for their existence an unfortunate consequence of deep-rooted socio-economic issues and broken family ties. For many, this means they have no access to basic rights, leaving them stuck in a cycle of invisibility and neglect.
The children in the camp face similar struggles. Several of them do not have birth certificates because their parents, unable to secure stable employment, simply cannot afford the $5 required to obtain the essential document. This is the grim reality for families living on the fringes of society, where even basic rights like access to healthcare, education, and legal identity are out of reach.
Housing is another dire issue. The residents of Strathaven Squatter Camp live in makeshift homes made of plastic sheets and scrap materials. These fragile structures are at constant risk of being destroyed, especially with the erratic weather patterns that have become the norm in recent years. Tragically, some homes have already been lost to fires further devastating the residents who have nowhere else to turn.
But perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the camp’s existence is the looming threat of displacement. The land on which the camp stands has been earmarked for development by a local housing project, leaving the squatters in limbo. Although some of the residents have been promised housing stands, many have been left out simply because they lack the necessary national identification documents. This is a cruel twist of fate those who are without documentation are at risk of losing the only place they have ever called home.
For us at ZimRights, the visit was not just an observation but an urgent call to action. We intervened by directing the residents to the relevant authorities who could help them secure birth certificates and national IDs steps that are crucial for them to access their rights and improve their living conditions. However, the road ahead remains long and uncertain.
Strathaven, with its serene atmosphere and wealthy residents, may seem like heaven to some—but for the squatters at the back of it, it is a far cry from a haven. In fact, the only “haven” they know is the one they’ve created out of necessity, in a place where their rights are overlooked, their dignity denied, and their future uncertain.
