Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Dr Douglas Mombeshora warned illegal settlers who continue to occupy areas reserved for grazing or state land to vacate before the authorities pounce on them.
Mombeshora said an assessment noted that there is an increase in the demand for land, especially on A1 farms. He, however, warned that any person occupying rural land without an official temporary permit issued by the district lands committee, an offer letter or permission from the relevant ministry is deemed an illegal settler.
Last year, the government gave the illegal settlers an ultimatum to vacate or face eviction by 16 September 2016, but it was ignored.
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