Cyrene Mission land grabbers issued with eviction notices

Illegal settlers occupying Cyrene Farm, owned by the Anglican Province of Central Africa Church's Diocese of Matabeleland, have been formally served with eviction notices and given 30 days to leave the property. The farm, located in Figtree, Matabeleland South, was seized by more than 500 settlers during Zimbabwe's turbulent land reform programme.

Efforts to remove the settlers over the years have been largely unsuccessful, despite multiple court orders, amid claims that authorities and law enforcement have not effectively enforced eviction rulings. Cyrene Farm manager Albert Sibanda confirmed that the eviction notices were served on Wednesday, with the 30-day countdown now in effect.

The notice, published on January 19 by Calderwood Law Chambers on behalf of the Anglican Diocese, warned that all settlers occupying the land illegally must vacate within 30 days, adding that eviction would proceed without further notice. "You are occupying the Anglican Diocese of Matabeleland land (private property) illegally. No resettlement, mining, or grazing without consent. Vacate within 30 days," the notice read.

Sibanda highlighted the severe disruption caused by the illegal occupation, noting harassment of staff, theft of livestock—including valuable calves critical to the farm's breeding programme—and environmental damage. Large tracts of grazing land have been taken over, undermining food supplies for Cyrene Boys High School, while reports of unlawful entry, drug abuse, and armed robberies have increased. Sibanda also said cultural heritage sites on the farm are being threatened and that he has faced assaults and death threats from settlers, with cases pending in court for over four years.

The Anglican Diocese holds valid land tenure documents under the Agricultural Land Settlement Act, and Sibanda emphasized that church property is protected under Zimbabwe's 2013 Constitution. Section 71 safeguards property rights, while the Land Tenure Act prohibits church land from being acquired without consent.

Cyrene Farm, which houses Cyrene High School, a clinic, a cattle ranch with nearly 300 head of cattle, 70 pigs, and a horticulture project, has been a flashpoint for disputes for more than 26 years. In 2003, the church obtained a High Court eviction order, but settlers later returned, with police reportedly reluctant to enforce the ruling. A fresh High Court order by Justice George Chiweshe authorizes the deputy sheriff, assisted by police if necessary, to evict all unlawful occupants immediately.

Sibanda appealed to stakeholders, including the judiciary, law enforcement, and the President, to help restore peace, protect private property, and safeguard the church's heritage and operations. Previous investigations by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission into alleged violations by both settlers and police have yet to be publicly released.

Church authorities warned that new invasions are encroaching onto school grounds, further threatening the farm's operations and community services.