News / National
Grazing land squabbles erupt in Gokwe
03 Aug 2017 at 18:04hrs | Views
A storm is brewing in Gokwe between the Njelele community and the resettled farmers in Mapfungautsi forests over grazing land.
Villagers from Chief Njelele area are accusing families settled in the once densely populated forests of Mapfungautsi of denying them firewood and fresh water.
The villagers allege once their livestock stray into the forests for grazing the resettled farmers axe them adding they have also opened vast tracks of land for agricultural activities leaving very little land for grazing.
This has seen livestock from Njelele area grazing along the highway posing risks of causing accidents.
The villagers from Chief Njelele have appealed for immediate intervene on the matter.
Midlands Minister of State, Cde Jason Machaya also revealed his office is seized with the matter and would want it resolved as a matter of urgency.
700 families illegally settled in Mapfungautsi forest and the government later formalised the settlement after the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate donated part of the gazetted Mapfungautsi forest for resettlement.
Villagers from Chief Njelele area are accusing families settled in the once densely populated forests of Mapfungautsi of denying them firewood and fresh water.
The villagers allege once their livestock stray into the forests for grazing the resettled farmers axe them adding they have also opened vast tracks of land for agricultural activities leaving very little land for grazing.
This has seen livestock from Njelele area grazing along the highway posing risks of causing accidents.
The villagers from Chief Njelele have appealed for immediate intervene on the matter.
Midlands Minister of State, Cde Jason Machaya also revealed his office is seized with the matter and would want it resolved as a matter of urgency.
700 families illegally settled in Mapfungautsi forest and the government later formalised the settlement after the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate donated part of the gazetted Mapfungautsi forest for resettlement.
Source - zbc
