Over 400 newly-resettled farmers in Maganga near Marondera, were last week evicted to pave way for the return of the farm’s original owner, Hunyani Estate.
The farmers were evicted by the Messenger of Court, who, armed with a court order, forcibly removed and dumped their property along the Harare-Mutare railway line.
One of the evicted farmers, Sphiwe Siyawamwaya, told NewsDay that they are now living in the open. He said:
We woke up to realise that we were surrounded by riot police in the company of a Messenger of Court telling us to leave.
They ferried our goods including our crops and dumped us here. We do not have anywhere to go. We are told that this land belongs to Hunyani Estate.
In 2017, officials from the Lands ministry told us that they will allocate 200 hectares of land to us, but today it is another story.
Life is hard for us here, considering that we are living in the open.
ZANU PF Marondera district secretary for lands, Richmore Chikore said they were aware of the crisis.
Reports suggest that ZANU PF held a meeting on Sunday where the Marondera evictions were discussed.
NewsDay could not get a comment from Marondera district development co-coordinator Clement Masawi as his mobile phone went unanswered.
The Maganga area is in ward 23, about 20km east of Marondera town.
The area is located in the tourism-rich area where the Benard Mizeki shrine and Tsindi Ruins are located.