The Legetafo Legedadi city administration, located in Oromia Regional State Special Zone Surrounding Addis Ababa, under the Oromia region, demolished more than hundreds of houses, that the city Mayor, Habiba Siraj, said were “illegally built” and were marked for demolition this week.

However, homeowners who have lost their houses say they have been living in the areas after having bought their properties mostly in 2008 and onward. They dispute the city mayor’s argument and say they have all legal documents including land deeds, contracts with utility facilities such as electric power, telephone, and water.