Barons abuse Zanu-PF name to dupe land seekers

Eddie's Pfugari Property Private Limited has demolished a number of illegal structures erected along the Bulawayo Road servitude in Whitecliff, bringing to a head a long-running dispute over land invasions and alleged violations of a High Court order.

The demolitions, conducted under the authority of a court order, affected home industries and informal businesses that had operated on the land for years. Many residents and traders were left counting their losses as structures that had become sources of income were reduced to rubble.

The land dispute has been linked to a syndicate of six individuals accused of illegally parcelling out and selling land while allegedly using the name of the ruling Zanu-PF party to gain influence. The group is also accused of defrauding residents and foreign nationals of more than US$20,000 through the sale and leasing of illegally occupied spaces.

Among those reportedly affected are Chinese nationals who are said to have paid for year-long home industry operating spaces on the disputed land.

Witnesses said residents rushed to salvage building materials and equipment as demolition teams moved in to clear the area.

Despite the hardship caused by the demolitions, the company's legal advisor, Advocate Simon Simango, defended the action, saying it was carried out in compliance with the law and after numerous warnings had been issued.

"Pfugari is not heartless," Advocate Simango said ahead of a scheduled appearance on the current affairs programme Community Dialogue.

"We are open to engagement with residents, but it must be bound by a legal framework."

According to the company, residents ignored written notices warning them of the impending demolitions after allegedly being assured by suspected land barons that no action would be taken against them.

Advocate Simango said the company's objective was not to displace people but to restore order and protect property rights that had been undermined by illegal occupation.

He added that Eddie's Pfugari Property Private Limited intends to work with Government authorities to develop formalised and regulated trading spaces equipped with proper infrastructure and sanitation facilities.

"The goal is to replace unregulated settlements and informal markets with properly planned commercial facilities that align with national development objectives," he said.

The company also indicated that legal action is expected against individuals allegedly responsible for facilitating the invasions and misleading residents into occupying the land.

The Whitecliff demolitions highlight the continuing challenge of illegal land occupations in urban areas, where disputes between property owners, local authorities, land barons and residents have frequently resulted in court battles, evictions and significant financial losses for affected families and businesses.