The Minister of Health and Child Care, Douglas Mombeshora, said the recent demonstrations held by nurses at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare were illegal as the issues raised by the nurses were already being addressed.
The nurses were protesting deteriorating working conditions, which they claimed were impacting operations at one of Zimbabwe’s largest referral hospitals.
Their grievances included a lack of basic amenities such as electricity and running water, which they said were affecting both their work and the quality of care provided to patients.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Mombeshora said the nurses’ primary complaint related to shortages of essential medicines and supplies, particularly syringes. He said the national medicine stock levels currently stand at 49%, with plans to reach 60% by the end of the year. Said Mombeshora:
<blockquote>
The problem that we saw of those who were demonstrating at Sally Mugabe Hospital has nothing to do with that system. It is all about their thoughts. They were complaining about the lack of stocks of medicines.
Of course, the stock levels may be low but right now the stock levels are at 49%, we are not happy with it but this year our target is 60%. We want to increase the levels gradually but we cannot do it immediately.
</blockquote>
Mombeshora said authorities were uncertain whether the nurses were protesting due to a shortage of syringes or if there were other underlying reasons, as syringes were available at pharmacies. He said:
<blockquote>
What surprised me is that when I went to Sally Mugabe Hospital on Monday when they were demonstrating, most of the things they were talking about were things that they knew were being looked into.
Some of the things they complained about were syringes. We went to pharmacies and saw the syringes.
So, we now do not know whether they were demonstrating because of a lack of syringes or they were doing it for something else.
What they did was illegal because they were supposed to give us two weeks in advance before they started demonstrating.
We told them to come and talk to us in time so that things may be worked out, we want to ensure that the health of our people is safe.
</blockquote>
Mombeshora said the Health Ministry faced challenges in procuring medicines, citing delays in budget allocations and extended lead times in manufacturing.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200039935/nurses-strike-illegal-govt">NewsDay</a>

Pindula News

The Health Minister says nurses protesting at Sally Mugabe Hospital did something wrong because their issues were already being fixed. The nurses were complaining about not having enough basic things like electricity and water that were affecting their work and patient care. The Minister said they were also upset about not having enough medicines and supplies, but they were already working on getting more. He said the nurses were supposed to talk to them first before protesting and that it was illegal for them to protest without warning. The Minister admitted there were challenges in getting medicines but they were trying to fix it.

Health Minister Calls Nurses' Protests At Sally Mugabe Hospital Illegal

Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora said the government has received 14 shipping containers filled with essential medicines and medical supplies.
At the end of 2024, public health facilities only had 49% of the necessary stock, much lower than needed.
Zimbabwe requires about US$17 million worth of medicines each month to meet the demand, but this year, the government allocated only US$44 million for medicine procurement.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Mombeshora said the 14 containers are part of efforts to address delays in purchasing medicines, which were caused by late funding from the Treasury. He said:
<blockquote>
We ordered these medicines last December, but sourcing large quantities often takes time due to manufacturing and supply chain challenges.
We are grateful for the support from the Ministry of Finance, despite the delays in disbursements last time.
</blockquote>
Mombeshora acknowledged that last year’s 49% stock level was insufficient and said efforts are underway to increase the availability of medicines to 60% this year. He said:
<blockquote>
We are not proud of the 49 per cent stock level recorded last year, but we are working tirelessly to improve this figure.
Our goal is to reach 60 per cent and ensure no patient is turned away due to a lack of medicines. We have also intensified engagements with the Ministry of Finance to ensure the timely release of funds for medicine procurement. We are making every effort to prioritise the health of our people.
This includes not only procuring medicines but also addressing the underlying challenges in the healthcare system.
</blockquote>
Nurses at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital staged a strike last week to protest deteriorating working conditions.
Their grievances included the lack of basic amenities such as electricity and running water, low salaries, and shortages of medical supplies.
The protest caused a disruption in operations at one of Zimbabwe’s largest referral hospitals.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zimbabwe-receives-medicines-shipment-to-address-shortages">The Sunday Mail</a>

The government got 14 big boxes of medicine. Last year, they did not have enough medicine in hospitals. They need $17 million every month for medicine, but only got $44 million this year. They are trying to fix the problem. The Minister of Health is working hard to make sure hospitals have enough medicine. Nurses went on strike because of bad conditions in the hospital. They need more money and supplies to take care of patients. The government is trying to solve these problems so that everyone can get the medical help they need.

Govt. Takes Delivery Of 14 Shipping Containers Of Essential Medical Supplies, Says Mombeshora

Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora said that the government plans to recruit nearly 20,000 health workers affected by funding cuts from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
These workers, including doctors, nurses, and village health workers, were heavily dependent on USAID support.
Over 1,000 doctors and nurses played a key role in treating opportunistic infections, while nearly 19,000 village health workers were essential for primary healthcare. Approximately 15,000 of these workers received payments from partner organisations.
The cuts, triggered by an executive order from former President Donald Trump, have hurt Zimbabwe’s HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria programmes.
Speaking at last week’s “Ministers Meet the Media” engagement, Mombeshora confirmed that the Treasury is mobilising funds to ensure these workers are absorbed into the government payroll. He said:
<blockquote>
We, as the Ministry of Health, have already planned to take over all health workers under the ministry’s employment.
There were accountability issues because some health workers employed by NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and partners had unclear reporting structures. At times when they were absent, we didn’t know their whereabouts.
We had already started these discussions last year to say all workers in the health system must be put under the Ministry of Health and if partners are coming in to help us, they can come in and top up, but all employees must belong to the ministry.
Treasury is actually mobilising funds to make sure we take over all these workers and make sure they will be on our payroll, including even recruiting extra ones because we have a compact way we agreed that we need to double our health workforce by the year 2030.
</blockquote>
Mombeshora also reassured the public that there are sufficient stocks of antiretroviral (ARV) medications to meet the country’s needs until the end of June 2025. He added:
<blockquote>
However, shipments meant to cover the period from June to December have been stopped and we cannot wait for the outcome of the 90-day review process before acting.
In terms of service delivery, in terms of those who are on HIV and AIDS treatment, there will be no disruption; there will be no shortage of any medicines. No one should actually be scared; no one should actually start worrying.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/lifeline-for-20-000-health-workers">The Sunday Mail</a>

The government is going to hire 20,000 health workers who lost their jobs because of funding cuts from USAID. These workers are important for treating diseases like HIV, AIDS, TB, and malaria in Zimbabwe. The government will use its own money to pay these workers. The Minister of Health said they need to hire more health workers by 2030. He also said there is enough medicine for people with HIV and AIDS until 2025, but they need to figure out how to get more medicine after that. People should not worry, there will still be enough medicine for everyone.

Govt. Plans To Hire 20,000 Health Workers Affected By USAID Funding Cuts

Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora has said Zimbabwe’s health sector is severely underfunded and has failed to meet the 15% Abuja target.
In April 2001, African Union countries gathered in Abuja, Nigeria, where they committed to allocating at least 15% of their annual budgets to the health sector.
Speaking at a High-Level National Health Financing Dialogue in Harare on Thursday, Mombeshora said that the underfunding of the health sector has crippled essential health services in the country. He said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/health/article/200035348/underfunding-crippling-health-sector-minister">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
Government allocations towards health have persistently been below the 15% Abuja target. In 2024, only 9,8% of the total budget was allocated to health.
Resource mapping conducted by my ministry shows a consistent funding gap, especially in the primary health care scenario.
</blockquote>
Mombeshora, however, said government had managed to reduce malaria cases by 76% and made progress towards attaining the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets despite the funding challenges. He said:
<blockquote>
Efficiency in health spending cannot be overemphasised. Every dollar spent on health must yield the maximum possible benefit…
Public resources alone cannot meet the growing demands for quality healthcare. We need strategic investments from the private sector, international partners and civil society.
Investing in health is not just about outcomes, it is an economic imperative. A dollar spent on health yields a tenfold return.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s health sector faces a myriad of challenges which include a shortage of skilled professionals, a shortage of essential medical supplies and brain drain.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's Health Minister, Mombeshora, says the health sector doesn't have enough money and is not meeting the 15% target set in Abuja. The government is only giving 9.8% of the budget to health. Even though there are funding issues, they have made progress in reducing malaria cases. The minister says they need help from the private sector, international partners, and civil society to improve healthcare. Zimbabwe's health sector has many problems like not enough doctors, lack of medical supplies, and doctors leaving the country.

Zimbabwe's Health Sector Severely Underfunded - Mombeshora

The Ministry of Health and Child Care is considering the possibility of removing the Ordinary Level English Language requirement for nurse training intake, reported <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/govt-considers-scrapping-english-as-a-requirement-for-nurse-training-intake/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>.
This comes after the government recently removed the prerequisite of passing O’ Level Mathematics for nurse training qualification.
In recent years, Zimbabweans pursuing the three-year Diploma in Registered General Nurse Training needed a minimum of five “O” Level subjects.
These subjects included English Language, Mathematics, a Science subject, and two additional subjects (excluding practical ones like Fashion and Fabrics, Metal Work, Graphic Art, Art, and Woodwork). The minimum grade required was a C or better, obtained from no more than two sittings.
Speaking at the post-cabinet briefing in Harare on Tuesday, the Minister of Health and Child Care Douglas Mombeshora said:
<blockquote>
We are still looking at other issues like is passing English with a C is important because anyone who has passed all his subjects has been taught in English and if you go to Universities outside Zimbabwe, let’s say English for Communication and not pass English as if you want to go and do a degree in English.
So we will keep on reviewing and make sure that we make accessibility to training in various disciplines affordable and accessible to all citizens of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Mombeshora added that the Mathematics requirement unfairly kept a lot of people out of the nursing profession given that the subject has a very low pass rate. He said:
<blockquote>
Maths is not a requirement in terms of training in the medical field, I’m a medical doctor the key subject for you to go into medicine is chemistry so we have retained science subjects as a key subject to go into nursing.
We are actually leaving a lot of people who have the capacity and capabilities out of the training because of Maths, you know very much that Maths has not been a subject that is passed well.
Applicants for the latest intake, whose deadline is 21 April are required to have “a minimum of 5 O’ Level subjects with passes in English Language and a science subject and three others (excluding practical subjects which are fashion and fabrics, metal work, graphic art, and woodwork) at Grade C or better obtained at not more than two sittings with full certificates as examination result slips are not accepted.
</blockquote>
Aspiring nurses are likely to welcome this change, considering that English Language and Mathematics are widely regarded as challenging subjects at the O’ Level.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Considers Scrapping O' Level English Language As A Requirement For Nurse Training

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has urged members of the public to remain vigilant against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, wearing masks, practising good hygiene, and maintaining social distancing.
In an interview with <a href="https://cite.org.zw/health-ministry-covid-19-still-a-threat-continue-precautions/">CITE</a>, Minister of Health and Child Care, Douglas Mombeshora, said that while coronavirus cases have decreased, the virus is still a threat. He said:
<blockquote>
COVID-19 is still with us, and we must continue to observe the same precautions, including wearing masks.
</blockquote>
Mombeshora said the initial decline in COVID-19 cases was largely due to vaccination, but people have become complacent as vaccine uptake dropped significantly once cases went down. He added:
<blockquote>
Deaths have decreased and are not as frequent as before, but we still see occasional COVID-related fatalities,” he remarked.
</blockquote>
We can say that COVID-19 cases have decreased, but it’s crucial to understand that cases still exist.
We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, as vaccines remain effective in protecting against the virus.
In May 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that COVID-19 was no longer a public health emergency of international concern.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

COVID-19 Still A Threat, Continue Wearing Masks - Govt

The Minister of Health and Child Care, Hon. Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, yesterday provided an update on the cholera outbreak to the Cabinet. He said as of 30 November 2023, Zimbabwe had recorded a total of 9,895 suspected cholera cases, with 9,466 recoveries and 53 confirmed deaths.
Mombeshora stated that during the period from 24 to 30 November, the highest number of cases, 607, was reported in Harare Metropolitan Province. However, this represents a decrease of 98 cases compared to the previous week. Similar slight decreases were observed in Mutare Rural and Buhera Districts in Manicaland Province.
The case fatality rate has decreased to 2.2%. The Minister attributed the decrease in cases and the case fatality rate to targeted interventions in the three main affected areas.
He said efforts are being made to bring healthcare services closer to communities by setting up Oral Rehydration Points manned by community health promoters. Training programs on case management and rapid response are also ongoing.
Mombeshora added that health education campaigns on cholera prevention and control, including hygiene promotion, are being conducted in all provinces of the country. In addition to the ongoing measures, the Cabinet has highlighted the following additional actions:
<blockquote>
1. Increasing health education on cholera and other diarrheal diseases in schools.
2. Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in communities.
3. Continuing to intensify risk communication and community engagement, with the involvement of religious and local leaders in the fight against cholera.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the City of Harare Communications Division has been actively raising awareness about cholera in different areas, including Mbare. The local government authority says residents have shown their willingness to support the city’s efforts in fighting cholera. The city health department has also informed residents that cholera treatment is provided free of charge at all council clinics.
The local government authority also received a donation of sanitisers from Cairde Hygenics to be used in the fight against cholera. 
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Health Minister Gives An Update On Cholera Outbreak

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has claimed that the current shortage of essential medicines in major hospitals is a result of economic sanctions imposed on the country by the United States, Britain, and their Western allies.
Ziyambi who is also Zimbabwe’s Leader of Government Business in Parliament, made these remarks during a Question and Answer Session in the National Assembly. He acknowledged that the health sector in Zimbabwe is facing challenges, and he attributed the drug shortages to the country’s economic struggles, which have been worsened by the economic sanctions. He said:
<blockquote>
We used to have functional pharmaceutical companies that supplied us with medication but we were then slapped with sanctions.
However, with the advent of the second republic, President Mnangagwa got into an agreement with Egypt so that they provide us with medicine.
The Egyptian (government) has built warehouses so that they can store the medicine once they start supplying. In the meantime, we are getting our medicine from Egypt.
</blockquote>
Opposition legislators from the Citizens Coalition for Change demanded that the government visit the country’s hospitals to assess the situation firsthand.
The Health and Child Care Minister, Douglas Mombeshora, also acknowledged the serious shortage of medicine and drugs in public hospitals, leaving patients dependent on private health facilities. He described the unavailability of medicine as depressing. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200020469/sanctions-to-blame-for-drug-shortages">NewsDay</a> cites him as saying:
<blockquote>
Our ministry acknowledges that the country is facing a serious shortage of medicine and drugs, which is culminating in a crisis, especially at the lower level and has left patients at the mercy of private hospitals.
</blockquote>
The healthcare system in Zimbabwe was once considered one of the best in the developing world, according to the World Health Organization in 1985. However, the situation has deteriorated, with some hospitals operating without even basic painkillers. Critics attribute the current state of the healthcare sector to underfunding and corruption.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Minister Attributes Shortage Of Essential Medicines In Zimbabwe To Economic Sanctions

Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Satoshi Tanaka, has made a donation of two ambulances to Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The donation was received by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora on Wednesday 22 November 2023. The ministry announced the donation this Thursday:
<blockquote>
Yesterday, @MoHCCZim Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora received a donation of two ambulances from the Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Satoshi Tanaka, complimenting Government plans to acquire at least 200 surface ambulances.
</blockquote>
The healthcare system in Zimbabwe has been in a state of collapse for many years. It requires significant rehabilitation as there is a shortage of medicines, infrastructure and a lack of ambulances. This shortage has resulted in some patients dying at home or during transportation to the hospital.
Recently, Zimbabwe received a donation of 18 medical, air policing, search, and rescue helicopters from Russia as part of a public-private partnership between the two nations.
The government claims to have been purchasing ambulances independently as well. The Ministry of Health has stated that 40 ambulances have been procured this year, and each district will eventually receive three ambulances. Over the years, the government has faced criticism for prioritising the purchase of vehicles for traditional and government leaders over providing ambulances and sufficient medical supplies to hospitals.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Japan Ambassador Donates 2 Ambulances To Zimbabwe's Health Ministry

The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora told Cabinet on Tuesday that over 1200 suspected cases of cholera were reported in Zimbabwe last week. 
He said medicines and supplies have been delivered to Natpharm and are being distributed to provinces and districts to address the problem. Dr. Mombeshora also said point-of-use water treatment chemicals are also being given to affected households.
In a Post Cabinet Briefing, the Minister of Information, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, mentioned that Goromonzi, Mudzi, Mutasa, and Mutoko are the new districts with reported cases during this period. Muswere mentioned that during this period, the highest number of cholera cases were reported in Harare (323), Chitungwiza (206), and Buhera (68).
The government suggested that they should increase communication and engagement with communities, involving religious and local leaders. They also want to provide more education about cholera and other diseases in schools and through media outlets. Additionally, they want to improve access to safe water for communities by fixing existing boreholes and drilling new ones. Muswere said:
<blockquote>
Public health measures be enforced in all communities reporting cholera cases, including restrictions of gatherings in all cholera affected areas, and supervision of all burials in all cholera affected areas and that vending be restricted to designated areas only.
</blockquote>
The central government has decided to take care of the maintenance of the water trucks in Harare City Council. The council has been unable to provide enough water and sanitation services.
The Cabinet also urged the Ministry of Health and Child Care to closely watch and check on all provinces more often.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Cholera Cases On The Rise In Zimbabwe - Health Minister Mombeshora

The Minister of Health and Child Care <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Douglas_Mombeshora">Douglas Mombeshora</a> has warned doctors employed by the Government against transferring patients to their private surgeries without any justifiable cause, reported <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/minister-warns-government-doctors-diverting-patients-to-private-surgeries/">ZimLive</a>.
Speaking during a Question and Answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Mombeshora said disciplinary action will be taken against Government doctors who divert patients to their private surgeries without justification. He said:
<blockquote>
Those patients who are admitted in government hospitals are supposed to follow treatment protocols in government hospitals.
It is allowed at a certain level, especially the consultancy, to have private practice, but it is not allowed to transfer patients that you have seen in government to your private practice unless the patient has insisted that they no longer want to be treated in a government hospital.
When such cases arise, the patient is requested to put in writing that they are leaving the government hospital against medical advice to go and get treatment elsewhere.
…If a government medical practitioner is referring a patient to his private practice, please let us know so that appropriate disciplinary action can be taken.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s health sector is facing numerous challenges that include dilapidated infrastructure, poorly equipped government hospitals, brain drain, and a severe shortage of medicines.
As a result, some patients opt for expensive private hospitals while people living closer to Zambia and South Africa cross the border to seek medical care in the neighbouring countries.
Zimbabwe’s political and business elites fly out to Asian countries such as India, Singapore and China for medical treatment.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Health Minister Warns Government Doctors Transferring Patients To Private Surgeries

Addressing farmers at the Zimbabwe Farmers Union 77th annual congress held in Marondera last week, Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Dr Douglas Mombeshora said that land was not redistributed on racial grounds.
Said Mombeshora:
<blockquote>We are not racists. I went to Washington dealing with issue of white former commercial farmers who had challenged Government in court and they were saying the land reform was racial because land was taken from the whites and given to blacks. But the truth is that it was not racial. We could not take away land from the blacks, they did not have the land. We only took from those who had it and those who had the land were white farmers, so it is not a racial issue.
Land reform was actually meant to bring in the previously marginalised population and these are the resettled farmers. This is why up to today we have (white) farmers who are still operating here who were operating before independence and we want to work with them. Those who want to work with us are welcome to be with us and we welcome to be with them.
When we look at the land reform, we want to include as many people as we can in the economy of the country. So ZFU we want to see you including all farmers who are on the ground — black, white and Indian. All those farmers let them be part of your organisation. So that we talk on the same page. We move together with the same agenda for our country to boost its economy.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/land-reform-non-racial-minister/">Herald</a>

'Land was not redistributed on racial grounds': Minister Mombeshora

Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Douglas Mombeshora has revealed that the government will repossess land from unproductive land reform beneficiaries in order to redistribute it to other more productive people.  So far, his ministry has already notified 38 farmers that it will soon revoke offer letters giving them title to the land. Large farms will also be reduced in size. Said Mombeshora,
<blockquote>What we are doing now is identifying farms and plots where land is not being utilised at all or not being used to its potential with a view to distributing it to others.
In terms of the law, we have the option of sending letters to the offer letter holder’s given home address, their farms or publishing a notice in a national newspaper, advising them of our intention. But what we are doing across the country right now is send out teams, led by provincial lands officers, to inspect farms in order to ascertain whether they are being utilised or not.
In cases where the farm is very large and is being underutilised, we have the option of downsizing; that is taking back part of the farm with a view of giving it to others.
In cases where the land is not being utilised at all, we have the option of withdrawing the offer letter. This is all part of the broader Farm Rationalisation Programme, which Government is implementing as part of the finalisation of the Land Reform Programme.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/farms-up-for-redistribution-minister-mombeshora/">Sunday Mail</a>

Govt to take farms from unproductive land reform beneficiaries under the Farm Rationalisation Programme

Zanu PF aligned political activists and the ministers of land and industry have criticised former Vice President Joice Mujuru for saying that she would repeal the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act because it is not investor friendly and that she would compensate white farmers as had been agreed in the Lancashire House Agreement if voted into power.
Speaking in an interview that appeared on BBC’s HardTalk, Mujuru said:
<blockquote>We are going to repeal it (Indeginisation Act) because we are for investment. We want investors both local and international to come and help us as we are rebuilding the economy.</blockquote>
On compensating former white farm owners she said:
<blockquote>(There will be) fair compensation, there is law to that. We are for constitutionalism. The Constitution has to be followed, property rights have to be respected.</blockquote>
However Lands Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the land reform was final and irreversible as endorsed in the Constitution unless someone amends that. He said that the Zanu PF Government was already compensating white farmers using Section 295 of the Constitution. Industry Minister Mike Bimha said that Mujuru’s statement was empty as any country that has gone through colonisation was carrying out an indigenisation programme. Elton Ziki, a political analyst consulted by The Herald, said Mujuru’s comments were against the principles of the liberation struggle.
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/mujuru-under-fire/">Herald</a>

Joice Mujuru criticised for announcing she would reverse the Indigenisation Act & compensate white farmers if voted into power

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.
More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/2017/03/13/government-warns-illegal-settlers/">ZBC News</a>

Govt warns illegal settlers occupying state land or areas reserved for grazing to vacate

Chiredzi West legislator Darlington Chiwa (Zanu PF) has accused Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahova and her Lands counterpart, Douglas Mombeshora of defying President <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Mugabe">Robert Mugabe</a>’s directive to drive out the 213 Zanu PF bigwigs, who grabbed sugarcane plots at Tongaat Hulett in June this year.
Addressing hundreds of protesting Tongaat Hulett workers, who were demanding the return of their company’s 
4 000 hectares of land, Chiwa said,
<blockquote>When we campaigned in 2013, the Zanu PF manifesto emphasised on job creation, yet Mombeshora wants to destroy the few jobs that are already there. Some of the officials taking land cannot grow sugarcane and are planting maize.</blockquote>
NewsDay could not reach Mahofa and Mombeshora reached for comments yesterday.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2016/10/26/zanu-pf-mp-accuses-mombeshora-mahofa-sabotaging-party-programmes/">NewsDay</a>

Zanu PF MP accuses Mahofa and Mombeshora of defying Mugabe's directive

Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Dr <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Douglas_Mombeshora">Douglas Mombeshora</a> and Local Government Public Works and National Housing Minister S<a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Saviour_Kasukuwere">aviour Kasukuwere</a> last week held a joint Press conference on illegal settlements. Mombeshora said Government was concerned by the growing problem of illegal settlements with land barons continuing to sell State land on farms and undesignated areas. He said all farms around Harare remained State land.
He said,
<blockquote>Following information received from the public, the law enforcement agents are currently looking for one Mr Gombiro and a Mr Juche who are alleged to have been parcelling out State land at Kimcott and Xekene Farms respectively. We warn individuals engaged in the same illegal activities that the long arm of the law will catch up with them soon. Government is determined to bring these individuals to face the full wrath of the law.</blockquote>
Kasukuwere encouraged Zimbabweans not to buy land from land barons and said,
<blockquote>We want to call upon our people to desist from buying and following individuals who will tell them that there is land available for sale. There is no such (thing) until they prove that they have a developer’s permit and have been sanctioned by the State, and have the necessary authority and the key infrastructure has been put in place. There should be roads, water and sewer system.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/hands-off-state-land-barons-warned/">Herald</a>

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