Lands officer of corruption in land allocations

Residents of Fox Farm in Matobo North, most of them long-standing Zanu-PF supporters, have accused the Matobo District Lands Office of corruption and irregularities in the allocation of agricultural land - allegations that have intensified tensions in the resettlement area.

The dispute prompted Chief Masuku to intervene, confirming that the Matobo District Lands Committee had been directed to regularise the settlement process to ensure fairness and transparency.

"The meeting went well. We were enforcing a decision made by the lands committee," Chief Masuku said on Wednesday.
"There were already people living on the farm, but since others also want to be resettled there, the priority is to regularise those already settled. This area was an illegal settlement, so we're now formalising it — ensuring everyone is properly allocated land before considering new applicants."

He said that while Fox Farm had been gazetted, many settlers occupied land without demarcation, creating confusion and disputes over boundaries.

"Some took as much as 14 or 20 hectares while others had only four or six. We want fairness. Under the peri-urban system, everyone should receive two to three hectares. That rule must apply equally so that no one ends up with more land than others," he explained.

Once the existing settlers are formally allocated plots, Chief Masuku said, new applicants on the waiting list will be considered.

However, villagers have accused District Land Commissioner Johane Zifunzi and a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officer identified only as Masara of corruptly allocating land to outsiders in exchange for bribes. They allege that land earmarked for local smallholder farmers under the A1 model has been sold to individuals from outside Matobo District.

When journalists visited the area on Tuesday, villagers were gathered to block land pegging activities. The residents, who say they have lived at Fox Farm since 2008, claimed they were shocked to see strangers arriving to demarcate land without consultation.

Ward 25 Zanu-PF branch chairperson Simion Ngwenya expressed outrage over being sidelined from a process that should include local leadership.

"These newcomers were not introduced; we just saw them coming," he said. "They didn't explain what model they are using — A1 or A2. They must formalise it so that everyone knows who gets two or three hectares. Strangers are showing up as if they belong here. As chairperson, what do I tell people when we are excluded?"

Ngwenya questioned why the district land office "acts in secrecy" instead of consulting the community.

Ward 25 Zanu-PF branch commissar Joseph Nkomo said the situation worsened on August 5, 2025, when several vehicles arrived with officials pegging land.

"We were shocked to hear that Zifunzi was taking money from people who are not from here," Nkomo said. "He said he was instructed to peg land for 101 people but refused to show us the register. When I couldn't find my name, he told me, ‘If your name is not here, you have to go.' Where are we supposed to go?"

Nkomo said villagers had reported the matter to Chief Masuku, Resident Minister Albert Nguluvhe, and Matobo MP Edgar Moyo, who briefly halted the pegging process.

"If the process is legitimate, the district lands committee should meet with the people and explain. Instead, we saw officers return to resume pegging without consulting anyone," he said.

Ward 25 Zanu-PF Women's League commissar Morack Ngwenya, who said she had previously been arrested in earlier land disputes but later acquitted, described the situation as heartbreaking.

"We came here when we were strong, now we are old," she said. "We hear Zifunzi takes money from outsiders, allocates them land, and tells us to leave. Imagine being told to leave your home because someone else paid."

She said the land officer's actions defied government directives and ignored community leaders.

Ward 25 Zanu-PF branch security officer Bernard Ngwenya accused officials of favouring the wealthy.

"Why should I leave to make way for someone who has not developed anything, while I have built a home here?" he asked. "It feels like this country now belongs to the rich, not the poor."

Ward 25 branch secretary Peter Kavhiza claimed that Fox Farm was officially gazetted for resettlement in 2014, and locals had since established clear structures and registers.

"We have records of everyone here, and we've used these structures during elections," he said. "Now, people outside those structures are being recognised by the land office, while new arrivals pay monthly fees to a parallel group that officials seem to support."

Villager Dick Ncube urged authorities to follow proper procedures and engage the community.

"Officials must meet us and explain what's happening instead of making secret agreements in offices," he said. "They are spoiling the government's name."

He added that residents were not opposed to others being resettled but wanted transparency and inclusion.

War veteran Anthony Ndlovu said the alleged corruption was particularly painful for former fighters.

"I fought for this country, and we were resettled here awaiting formalisation," he said. "Now corrupt individuals have come to peg land, splitting my home in two. We hear they are selling stands for US$1,200 each. Where must we go?"

Another villager, 75-year-old Margaret Baloyi, who said she has lived at Fox Farm for 52 years, broke down in tears.

"I have grown old here. Where do I go now?" she asked.

When contacted for comment, District Land Commissioner Johane Zifunzi refused to respond over the phone, saying,

"Come to my office. I don't respond over the phone. I will call you when I find time if I come to Bulawayo."