Murehwa chief blocks govt clinic project

A traditional leader in Murehwa has approached the courts to block the government's plans to convert a farmhouse at Hilton Farm into a clinic, arguing that the same building is being used as a community court.

Chief Mangwende, born Morgan Gatsi, filed an application for an interdict at the Murehwa Magistrates Court on June 11. He wants authorities barred from proceeding with the clinic project, despite overwhelming support from the local community, councillors, and political leaders.

In his submissions, Chief Mangwende stated that Hilton Farm, which was designated for resettlement during the early 2000s land reform programme, had remained partly unoccupied for years, leaving the farmhouse vacant. The chief has since been using the building to preside over traditional community court matters.

"The portion of the farm remained unoccupied for a long period and there is a farmhouse on that portion of the land. This is the farmhouse I am using as a community court," he wrote.

The farmhouse is situated in a hilly area near Barrymore and the Virginia area, and was recently identified by government officials as a suitable location for a new clinic, in a bid to alleviate the healthcare crisis in Murehwa South Constituency. Many villagers currently walk over 20 kilometres to access the nearest medical facility at Virginia or Waterloo.

"Much as I support the respondents' effort to open a clinic in the area, I disagree with them that the clinic should be based in the building at Hilton Farm since a community court is already established in that building," Chief Mangwende added.

He accused authorities of unilaterally shutting down the community court to repurpose the building for health services, which he said would force villagers to travel longer distances for traditional dispute resolution services.

"With all due respect, the respondents are taking the law into their own hands to close the community court and replace it with a clinic in that building… I hereby apply for an interdict from this honourable court directing the respondents not to interfere with the activities of Chief Mangwende's community court in the farmhouse at Hilton Farm," the court papers read.

Chief Mangwende cited several respondents in the case, including the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Lands, Murehwa South legislator Noah Mangondo, Zanu-PF district coordinating committee chairperson Israel Maliki, local councillor Wellington Hodzi, and a man identified as George Dzemwa.

The proposed clinic would serve thousands of residents from nearby farms and villages including Chilinda, Glenwaves, Pagomba, Langjam Konine, Dontlestone, Kasipiti, and River Baller.

The matter is now before the Murehwa Magistrates Court, where a ruling will determine whether the clinic project proceeds or is halted in favour of preserving the traditional court's premises.