News / Local
Zimbabwean minister foils Xmas Eve farm grab
29 Dec 2024 at 08:47hrs | Views
War Veterans' Minister Monica Mavhunga stepped in to prevent the eviction of settlers at Saratoga Farm, located 46 kilometers from Harare along Shamva Road in Goromonzi District, during an unsanctioned operation on Christmas Eve.
The attempted land grab, which took place on December 24, saw a group including cartographer Chasauka Sumburero, traditional leader Alious Chafungamuroyi Sithole, and National Lands Inspectorate official Godfrey Muza, along with a police officer-in-charge, attempt to seize land at Saratoga. The group allegedly arrived with police officers, including 19 uniformed officers, and took aggressive action to divide and peg the land without the knowledge or consent of the settlers.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the dispute over the land dates back to 2021 when the group first attempted to peg it, but retreated after facing resistance. They reportedly returned on December 10, 2024, accompanied by police, Lands Ministry officials, and the Inspectorate, but were forced to retreat once again. However, on Christmas Eve, they made another attempt, this time with the full force of law enforcement, including dogs and guns, to press the settlement's eviction.
"The people from the Lands Department, together with the headman, started dividing the land without involving the community," a source said. "They even claimed to have been instructed by Mudhumeni Muzambi, who used to work on the land."
Faced with the threat of eviction, the settlers appealed to Minister Mavhunga for intervention. Sources report that Mavhunga immediately took action and called the officer-in-charge to halt the operation. Despite her efforts, the officer-in-charge refused to comply, and some land was already pegged by the time authorities intervened.
"Mai Mavhunga called them, but the officer-in-charge refused to respond," the source said. "We were relieved only when the Ministry of Home Affairs was informed, and the officer-in-charge eventually left the area, but some land had already been taken."
The ongoing farm grab attempts highlight the continuing challenges surrounding land ownership in Zimbabwe, nearly a quarter-century after the controversial land reform program aimed at addressing historical imbalances. The incident has raised concerns about the misuse of power by individuals involved in land allocation and the role of local authorities in protecting settlers' rights.
Both Mavhunga and Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka were unavailable for comment as they were not responding to calls. The case underscores the tense and often unresolved nature of land disputes in Zimbabwe, where disputes continue to flare up despite ongoing government efforts to stabilize the sector.
The attempted land grab, which took place on December 24, saw a group including cartographer Chasauka Sumburero, traditional leader Alious Chafungamuroyi Sithole, and National Lands Inspectorate official Godfrey Muza, along with a police officer-in-charge, attempt to seize land at Saratoga. The group allegedly arrived with police officers, including 19 uniformed officers, and took aggressive action to divide and peg the land without the knowledge or consent of the settlers.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the dispute over the land dates back to 2021 when the group first attempted to peg it, but retreated after facing resistance. They reportedly returned on December 10, 2024, accompanied by police, Lands Ministry officials, and the Inspectorate, but were forced to retreat once again. However, on Christmas Eve, they made another attempt, this time with the full force of law enforcement, including dogs and guns, to press the settlement's eviction.
"The people from the Lands Department, together with the headman, started dividing the land without involving the community," a source said. "They even claimed to have been instructed by Mudhumeni Muzambi, who used to work on the land."
"Mai Mavhunga called them, but the officer-in-charge refused to respond," the source said. "We were relieved only when the Ministry of Home Affairs was informed, and the officer-in-charge eventually left the area, but some land had already been taken."
The ongoing farm grab attempts highlight the continuing challenges surrounding land ownership in Zimbabwe, nearly a quarter-century after the controversial land reform program aimed at addressing historical imbalances. The incident has raised concerns about the misuse of power by individuals involved in land allocation and the role of local authorities in protecting settlers' rights.
Both Mavhunga and Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka were unavailable for comment as they were not responding to calls. The case underscores the tense and often unresolved nature of land disputes in Zimbabwe, where disputes continue to flare up despite ongoing government efforts to stabilize the sector.
Source - newsday
