Villagers protest against Mohadi's son

Over 300 villagers from Arnold Farm in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central, held a demonstration on Friday to protest against an alleged attempt by Vice President Kembo Mohadi's son, Mafenyadira Mohadi, to evict them from the 1,245-hectare farm they have called home for years.

The villagers, who have lived on the farm for decades, accused Mafenyadira Mohadi of using his political influence to intimidate them, claiming he had deployed state security agents to threaten their livelihoods. In response, the villagers destroyed a fence that had been erected on the property by Mohadi's son, asserting their right to remain on the land.

The dispute has its roots in a turbulent history of land reform in Zimbabwe. In 2017, the then First Lady, Grace Mugabe, also attempted to seize Arnold Farm, which lies near the picturesque Mazowe Dam. A High Court ruling later blocked Grace Mugabe from taking possession of the farm, allowing the villagers to remain.

Now, reports suggest that First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has shown interest in the farm, adding to the growing list of influential figures eyeing the land.

On Friday, riot police were dispatched to quell the demonstration, which saw villagers holding placards accusing Mafenyadira Mohadi of using his political connections to harass them. According to reports, Mohadi's son had employed security guards to conduct night patrols, and several people were arrested on charges of trespassing.

Livingstone Musanhi, a member of the Arnold Farm Residents Association, expressed the community's growing fear. "There are some villagers who have already been arrested for protesting against the attempted farm grab," Musanhi said. "We no longer have peace at this farm; we are in the rainy season, but we can't focus on planting because of the disturbances."

The tension has escalated to the point where villagers feel their safety and livelihoods are under constant threat.

In a statement made through his cousin, Hardlife Samuwi, Mafenyadira Mohadi confirmed the clashes with the villagers, noting that the violence had escalated after the villagers vandalized property and harmed security personnel. "I understand that violent illegal settlers at Old Arnold Farm in Mazowe demonstrated, vandalized property, and harmed security guards at Vice President Mohadi's son's place over a farm he was allocated by the Ministry of Lands," Samuwi said.

He also confirmed that one of their farmhands had been injured in the incident, with his hand reportedly broken during the altercation.

The ongoing dispute at Arnold Farm reflects the broader context of Zimbabwe's contentious land reform history, where political and economic interests have often clashed with local communities. In March 2017, villagers at Arnold Farm faced a violent eviction attempt when police demolished their homes and destroyed crops in a bid to establish a national monument, a project associated with Grace Mugabe's business interests.

Despite the government's aggressive land redistribution programs, the villagers successfully fought back, securing a High Court ruling that temporarily halted their eviction.

As the new eviction threats loom, the villagers remain determined to protect their homes. They have called for open dialogue with the authorities to address the issue and ensure that their rights are protected from political influence and exploitation.

As the situation continues to unfold, the community at Arnold Farm hopes for legal intervention and a peaceful resolution, while they prepare for another challenging chapter in the long saga of Zimbabwe's land disputes.