News / Local
Chiefs caught in land scandal
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The Chikomba Rural District Council (RDC) has dramatically shifted its position in the ongoing legal wrangle over land allocations in Nharira, Chivhu, distancing itself from traditional leaders accused of illegally parcelling out land to outsiders.
The case, brought before the courts by five villagers seeking to block the sale of ancestral grazing land, has exposed deep divisions between local communities, traditional leaders, and the RDC.
Initially, Chikomba RDC had defended the contested settlements, claiming it had allocated residential stands to the disputed occupants. However, during a pre-trial conference held on August 18, 2025, the council made a startling U-turn, disowning the settlers.
According to minutes of the pre-trial conference, the RDC admitted:
"Defendant admitted that it did not settle any of the defendants on the land in question and did not grant them any permits to occupy the land… it mistakenly stated in its plea that it settled the defendants."
The council further indicated it had no interest in the litigation since no relief was sought against it, and said it would abide by the court's decision.
Hundreds of villagers in Nharira have accused Chief Musarurwa, born Enos Masakwa, Headman Hokonya, and Zanu PF provincial member Bester Jokonya of selling large portions of communal grazing land to outsiders.
Five villagers, represented by Kudzaishe Gama of Gama and Partners, have taken the matter to court, naming the RDC, the traditional leaders, and 10 alleged illegal settlers as defendants.
The villagers argue the land in dispute is vital for their livestock and communal livelihood.
Notably, lawyer Norman Mugiya, representing Chief Musarurwa and other traditional leaders, did not attend the pre-trial conference.
The dispute, which has already inflamed tensions in Chivhu, now heads for a full trial amid the RDC's sudden withdrawal of support for the contested settlements.
The case, brought before the courts by five villagers seeking to block the sale of ancestral grazing land, has exposed deep divisions between local communities, traditional leaders, and the RDC.
Initially, Chikomba RDC had defended the contested settlements, claiming it had allocated residential stands to the disputed occupants. However, during a pre-trial conference held on August 18, 2025, the council made a startling U-turn, disowning the settlers.
According to minutes of the pre-trial conference, the RDC admitted:
"Defendant admitted that it did not settle any of the defendants on the land in question and did not grant them any permits to occupy the land… it mistakenly stated in its plea that it settled the defendants."
The council further indicated it had no interest in the litigation since no relief was sought against it, and said it would abide by the court's decision.
Hundreds of villagers in Nharira have accused Chief Musarurwa, born Enos Masakwa, Headman Hokonya, and Zanu PF provincial member Bester Jokonya of selling large portions of communal grazing land to outsiders.
Five villagers, represented by Kudzaishe Gama of Gama and Partners, have taken the matter to court, naming the RDC, the traditional leaders, and 10 alleged illegal settlers as defendants.
The villagers argue the land in dispute is vital for their livestock and communal livelihood.
Notably, lawyer Norman Mugiya, representing Chief Musarurwa and other traditional leaders, did not attend the pre-trial conference.
The dispute, which has already inflamed tensions in Chivhu, now heads for a full trial amid the RDC's sudden withdrawal of support for the contested settlements.
Source - Newsday
