Spitzkop land feud finally resolved after 9 years

A nine-year land dispute between the Greater Spitzkop Residents Association and property developer Vevhu Resources has finally been resolved, paving the way for long-delayed development in the area.

The Supreme Court recently dismissed the residents' final appeal, bringing to an end a protracted legal battle that saw 16 cases filed over the years, all of which were decided in favour of the developer.

Vevhu Resources Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Dube, confirmed that civil works will commence next week and assured residents that no one will be displaced.

"We have had a challenge in Lot 14 where people came and settled not through the Act of Vevhu Resources, and over the years, trying to develop the place has been very difficult," Dube explained.

He cited shifting government regulations as another cause of delay, including a directive requiring 40% of the land to be allocated to flats, which conflicted with existing settlements. "It became a bottleneck… to say we need to move certain people to make way for apartments, as per government regulation," he said.

Dube added that the company has since opted for a compromise by adopting the old layout plan, which aligns with current settlements. "With the adoption of the old plan, it means we are now able to accommodate everyone who has been settled here," he said, noting that only a third of residents will be affected, but they will remain within Spitzkop Lot 14.

The original layout for Lot 14 Spitzkop provides for 3,595 stands, as well as space for shops, schools, and recreational facilities. Over the years, however, informal occupations of land earmarked for public institutions had stalled progress and triggered resistance to development.

Local councillor Tafadzwa Kambarami welcomed the resolution, calling it a win for both residents and progress. "We are happy that the developer understood our concerns despite us having lost court cases. What we want is development and residents have to comply. Everyone is happy because there will be no evictions. We want sanity. We want development and I'm happy that residents have accepted what the developer has brought on the table. Development should start right away," he said.

With the legal dispute now settled, construction in Spitzkop is finally set to move forward after nearly a decade of deadlock.