The government has warned traditional leaders—chiefs, headmen, and village heads (MaSabhuku)—against the sale of communal land, as doing so is a criminal offence.
Obert Jiri, the Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, called on traditional leaders to immediately stop any unauthorised land transactions, but instead, work closely with local rural district councils. Said Jiri:
<blockquote>
We have seen the rise of sabhuku deals, which we certainly say no to.
</blockquote>
Jiri said that land management authority rests solely with the President, who oversees proper allocation.
He urged Zimbabweans seeking land to follow the correct procedures, warning that bypassing them only opens opportunities for exploitation by land barons.
The government is holding capacity-building workshops to educate traditional leaders on their roles, responsibilities, and the legal frameworks for managing communal land. Said Jiri:
<blockquote>
There’s no need for anyone to obtain an offer letter from a window somewhere. An offer letter or a title deed must be processed in ministry offices. Engage the authorities that offer land, not anyone else.
</blockquote>
“Sabhuku land deals” refer to the illegal practice where traditional leaders, such as village heads, sell or allocate communal or state land to individuals for money or other benefits. This practice is especially prevalent in areas near towns and cities.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/sabhuku-land-deals-banned/">The Herald</a>

Pindula News

The government told traditional leaders not to sell communal land because it's illegal. They must work with councils instead. The President controls land allocation. Zimbabweans should follow procedures to get land to avoid exploitation. The government is educating leaders on their roles. "Sabhuku land deals" are when leaders sell state land illegally. This happens a lot near towns. Follow the correct process to get land, don't buy it from unauthorized people.

Government Orders Traditional Leaders To Stop Sabhuku Land Deals

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira has warned that village heads caught selling or helping others sell state land will be treated as land barons and face arrest.
Murwira encouraged anyone with proof of illegal land deals to report them.
Reports suggest that village heads, especially in areas like Domboshava, Seke, Nyabira, Rusape, and Chesa Farm, have illegally settled over 10,000 people.
The scheme involves villagers selling land and sharing the profits with the village head. The village head helps new settlers by forging documents and getting them approved by the chief, who is also said to receive a share of the money.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Murwira, who was standing in for Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, said village heads involved in these activities are considered land barons. He said (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/village-heads-warned-against-selling-state-land/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
If there are village heads selling land, we call them land barons. It is illegal, with regard to law; they are supposed to be arrested. That is Government policy or that is the law. If there is anyone with concrete evidence like what the Honourable Member alluded to, these people must be arrested, that is Government policy.
</blockquote>
Murwira was responding to Albert Nyakuedzwa, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government, who asked about the government’s stance on village heads selling land in peri-urban areas, claiming they had settled over 10,000 people.
Another Member of Parliament raised a concern, alleging that some government workers responsible for overseeing land issues were aware of these illegal settlements but did nothing to stop them.
Murwira replied that if government workers knowingly allowed such illegal activities to happen, it should be considered corruption. He said:
<blockquote>
The issue that he is raising is that there are people who work for the Government and local authorities who may know what is happening and all that.
That is what we call corruption, and that is why we have laws that deal with corruption, which must prosecute those people who commit corruption. The question again is, is there such a law? The law is there.
Firstly, they are not supposed to sell land illegally. If they do that, they will be prosecuted. Secondly, people who see people selling land illegally and just keep quiet are also involved in corruption; they will also be arrested. Corruption is illegal; selling land is illegal.
</blockquote>
National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda said traditional leaders do not have the right to sell state land. He warned that those who are selling land could face long prison sentences.

Village heads caught selling state land will be treated as land barons and face arrest. Reports say over 10,000 people have been illegally settled by village heads in some areas. Villagers sell land and share profits with the village head, who forges documents to help new settlers. Foreign Affairs Minister Amon Murwira warned village heads involved in illegal land deals will be arrested. Government workers who allow illegal settlements may also face corruption charges. Traditional leaders do not have the right to sell state land and those doing so could go to prison.

Village Heads Caught Selling State Land To Be Treated As Land Barons

The government has urged home-seekers to be cautious when buying residential stands or houses to avoid falling victim to land barons and having their properties demolished.
National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda urged buyers to make sure that land acquisition applications are legitimate.
He made these comments during a media session focused on improving communication between journalists and Cabinet ministers, facilitated by Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere. Said Soda (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-warns-home-seekers-against-short-cuts/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
Whenever that is done irregularly, obviously the arm of the law will take its course. We want to encourage all home-seekers, despite their desperation, that the acquisition of stands and houses must be done properly.
</blockquote>
Soda said the government is currently addressing the issue of regularising dysfunctional settlements that arose from previous irregular constructions.
These settlements were created by peple who built homes without adequate support services such as roads, schools, and shopping centres. He said:
<blockquote>
We are grappling with that correction. We don’t want to repeat what happened previously.
Let us not construct where the stands would not have been acquired properly. Let’s desist from dealing with land barons. We must conduct thorough due diligence when acquiring land for construction.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government tells people looking for homes to be careful when buying land or houses. They don't want buyers to be tricked by land barons or have their properties destroyed. The minister says it's important to check if the land is legal before buying. The government is fixing places where people built homes without proper facilities like roads and schools. They want to avoid mistakes from the past. They say people should do thorough research before buying land and not trust land barons. It's important to be cautious when getting land for building a home.

Government Urges Homeseekers To Exercise Due Diligence When Buying Residential Stands Or Houses

The government has announced a ban on the demolition of houses built on illegally acquired land without providing a four-month notice period.
This is meant to give affected property owners enough time to rebuild and ensure they have decent shelter for their families.
The announcement comes in response to the Harare City Council’s plan to demolish over 5,000 houses starting this week.
The council has already issued 48-hour eviction notices to residents whose homes are allegedly built without approval on land designated for public amenities.
The properties targeted include those in Mabelreign, Kuwadzana, Budiriro, Mabvuku, and Glen View.
However, in an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/no-demolition-without-four-months-notice-govt/">The Herald</a> last Friday, on the sidelines of the Institute of Architects of Zimbabwe meeting in Harare, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe criticized the City of Harare’s approach.
He condemned the demolitions, saying that residents should be given adequate notice before such actions are taken. Said Garwe:
<blockquote>
We are human beings, and every human being has a right to shelter. There is a lot of excitement from the City of Harare in terms of wanting to demolish people’s homes, they are playing to the gallery, condemning public officials and the Government that we are just issuing statements because there was the Extraordinary SADC Summit recently.
Yes, we appreciate that those houses were illegally built, people who were not following the laid down procedures, and people built on land set aside for other activities social amenities, schools and railway lines; we are aware of that as Government.
Give these people adequate notice to vacate those areas so that they can then come and demolish, while these people are properly settled elsewhere.
Give them three or four months’ notice; but they were giving them four days, five days. Who can build a house in four days in Zimbabwe, and then move to where it is built?
</blockquote>
Garwe, however, urged citizens to refrain from purchasing land from land barons, saying such transactions could lead to criminal charges for both buyers and sellers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government has made a rule that houses cannot be destroyed without giving a four-month warning. This is so people have enough time to find another place to live. The Harare City Council planned to destroy over 5,000 homes, but the government wants to stop them. The government thinks people should have more time to find a new home before their house is destroyed. Minister Garwe says people should not buy land from the wrong people because it is illegal and they could get in trouble. It is important for people to have a good home to live in.

Government Bans House Demolitions Without Four-Month Notice

Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, revealed that owners of over 100,000 illegally built houses in the capital are not paying rates to the city council.
In response to a prominent user on X (formerly Twitter) commenting on a Sunday Mail story about the City of Harare’s plan to demolish 5,000 illegally constructed houses, Mafume clarified that the number of illegal houses is actually much higher.
He added that these homes were built on land originally designated for schools, clinics, and sorting facilities.
Mafume also disclosed that the Harare City Council had suspended the demolitions due to the elections and the SADC summit. He wrote on X:
<blockquote>
These are built on schools, clinics, open spaces &amp; sports grounds. We stopped because of elections and the SADC. Children are forced to move 8 km to school. Clinics are non-existent. Houses are flooding. It has to be corrected…
The irregular settlements number over 100000 houses in and around Harare. 
The illegal houses will soon outnumber the legal rate-paying houses of Harare. The 322000 households we bill foot the bill for everyone!
</blockquote>
ZANU PF land barons have been implicated in the syndicates that has been illegally parcelling out land in the City. Said Mafume:
<blockquote>
They do not own the land. They seek no approval from anyone from start to finish. They just build at will and with no due care and regard.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Over 100,000 houses in Harare built illegally. Owners not paying bills. Houses on land meant for schools and clinics. Mayor stopped demolitions for elections and summit. Land barons involved in illegal land deals. Legal houses may soon be outnumbered. 322,000 households paying for everyone. Mayor says it must be fixed.

Over 100,000 Illegal Homes In Harare Aren't Paying Bills - Mafume

An alleged land baron who unlawfully developed and sold 49 stands in Crowborough, Harare, has been arrested and appeared in court on Tuesday, November 19.
<a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/land-baron-develops-sells-49-stands-on-council-land/">H-Metro</a> reported that Voyage Dhambuza of Warren Park, who has been allegedly running his criminal enterprise since 2016, was arraigned before magistrate Dennis Mangosi.
The complainant, represented by Housing Director Samuel Nyabezi, is the City of Harare.
In 2016, Dhambuza allegedly formed the New Dawn Housing Pay Scheme, a trust with 49 members. In 2022, he allegedly identified and invaded an open space, Harare City Council land stand number 4273 in Crowborough, measuring 7.4 hectares.
The court heard thatDhambuza opened roads, pegged 49 residential stands of 300 square meters each, and allocated them to desperate home seekers without the council’s authority.
Despite warnings from the City of Harare, Dhambuza allowed the construction of two houses.
A police report was filed, and investigations revealed that Dhambuza, through his trust, invaded council land without authority, contravening Section 24(1)(4) of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act Chapter 29:12.
Over the years, councils have struggled with land barons—individuals or groups who illegally sell State or council land to desperate home seekers.
These land barons often sell land that isn’t legally theirs, resulting in the creation of illegal settlements without proper planning or infrastructure.
Many land barons are linked to ZANU PF, allowing them to operate with impunity. They forge documents and exploit home seekers’ lack of knowledge about land laws.
In response, the Harare City Council has been forced to demolish thousands of illegal structures, displacing many families.
This situation has caused a public outcry and led to government intervention to halt the demolitions.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man named Voyage Dhambuza sold 49 illegal pieces of land in Crowborough, Harare, without permission from the city council. He formed a fake housing scheme in 2016 and invaded council land. Even after warnings, he allowed people to build houses on the land. The police got involved and found out about his illegal activities. Land barons like Dhambuza cause problems by selling land that doesn't belong to them, making it hard for the council to plan and provide infrastructure. The council has had to demolish many illegal structures because of this.

Land Baron Arrested For Selling 49 Illegal Stands In Crowborough

Police have intensified operations against illegal land allocations by land barons across the country following the rise of illegal settlements on communal, local authority, and state lands, especially around major towns, cities, and growth points.
In a statement issued this Friday, 25 October, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi warned that land barons are using falsified documents to deceive home seekers, leading to unlawful constructions on state, wet, and grazing lands. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has intensified operations against illegal land allocations by land barons across the country.
This follows the proliferation of illegal settlements on communal, local authority and state lands, particularly around major towns, cities and growth points.
The Police has established that land barons are using falsified documents to deceive unsuspecting home seekers, resulting in unlawful constructions on state, wet and grazing lands.
The actions by land barons violate the country’s laws including the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act, Chapter 20:28, Land Commission Act, Chapter 20:29, Rural District Councils Act Chapter 29:13 and Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 29:12.
So far, the Police has made one hundred and eighty-four (184) arrests on illegal land allocations.
Members of the public are urged to come forward and report illegal acts by land barons to enable the law to take its course.
Anyone with information should contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police in Zimbabwe are working hard to stop bad people from giving away land that doesn't belong to them. The police say these land barons are lying to people and making them build houses on land that is not safe. They have already arrested 184 people for doing this. The police want everyone to help by reporting any illegal activities by these land barons. If you have any information, you can call the National Complaints Desk or send a message on WhatsApp. Don't let bad people trick you into building on land that is not yours!

ZRP Intensifies Operations Against Land Barons

Two suspected land barons, Lillian Chitanga (52) and Spencer Mabeka (45), both from Mabelreign, Harare, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing fraud charges. The pair are directors of Brickstone Builders and Contractors Private Limited.
In Zimbabwe, “land barons” refers to individuals or entities that illegally sell or lease land, often in urban areas, without proper authorization or legitimate ownership.
These people typically exploit the demand for housing by subdividing land and selling plots, sometimes misleading buyers about the legality of the transactions.
They may operate outside the law, bypassing regulations and necessary approvals from local authorities and often forge documents, such as approval letters, to appear legitimate.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the allegations date back to May 2002, when the City of Harare approved the subdivision of a portion of land in Belvedere Ridge View into 52 residential stands. However, this plan was never implemented.
Further allegations claim that Chitanga and Mabeka forged a distribution letter approving a layout plan dated April 20, 2021, along with an offer letter dated April 22, 2021.
Both documents were purportedly authored and signed by the Principal Director of Physical Planning in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
They also forged another offer letter offering their company Brickstone Builders and Contractors Private Limited 14.4354 hectares of land dated 15 December 2015, purportedly authored and signed by the Housing Director of the City of Harare.
Equipped with the fake documents, the accused persons invaded the land and engaged a land developer to develop 52 residential stands measuring approximately 2000 square meters each.
They advertised and sold land to 45 unsuspecting land seekers who made payments ranging from US$ 25,000 to US$ 40,000.
They issued out lease agreements and offer letters signed by both accused persons as the land sellers.
The land seekers erected structures which were demolished by the city council.
</blockquote>
Chitanga and Mabeka filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court seeking to stop the Council from demolishing the structures as well as interdicting the Council from evicting them from the said land.
The prosecution alleges that the accused persons misrepresented in their court application that they were legal owners of the said land by tendering fake documents.
Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) revealed that the allocation letter that was presented before the courts by the accused persons was not authentic.
Chitanga and Mabeka will be back in court this Wednesday, 18 September, for the continuation of the bail hearing.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two people from Mabelreign, Harare, are in court for tricking 52 people who wanted to buy homes. They pretended to own land and sold it to people for lots of money. They showed fake papers to prove they owned the land. The city council destroyed the homes that were built on the land. Now, the two people are in trouble and will have another court date soon. It's important to be careful and make sure everything is legal when buying land.

Two Land Barons In Court For Fleecing 52 Home Seekers In Mabelreign

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to regularising informal settlements nationwide by providing settlers with land titles and access to essential services.
Shingirayi Mushamba, Chief Director of Spatial Planning and Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works said that while some informal structures will be removed to facilitate the provision of essential services, the majority will remain intact.
Mushamba made these remarks during the recent annual general meeting of the Urban Development Corporation (UDCORP) in Harare. He said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200032381/govt-commits-to-regularise-informal-settlements">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
Regularisation including the issuance of proper title. The processes of regularisation require that there be an approved layout plan, approved by a respective local authority working in partnership with government entities.
Once a layout plan is in place, it provides for roads, for future servicing of the land. So what we will be doing essentially in those settlements, we will be looking at the structures that are on the ground, insofar as they fit in a pre-approved layout plan.
Some structures may be held on land which was reserved for certain particular uses. Efforts will be made to relocate those few structures that will be in such spaces. The majority will be regularised in situ.
Regularisation is then going to culminate in a partnership working with an entity called FANGU, which will then bring in services.
That is part of the process that will lead to the issuance of a title so conditions of urban settlement still be maintained.
</blockquote>
Thousands of people across the country reside in informal settlements, primarily located on peri-urban land, where they frequently pay for services that are never delivered.
Many of these desperate home seekers purchase land from politically connected land barons who often operate with impunity, seemingly beyond the reach of the law.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government wants to give people living in informal settlements land titles and services like roads and water.
They may remove some structures to make space for these services but most will stay.
People in informal settlements often pay for services they never get.
Some people buy land from powerful people who break the rules.
The government is working with a group called FANGU to provide services and give people land titles.

Government Reaffirms Commitment To Regularise Informal Settlements

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a stern warning to traditional leaders, particularly village heads, against the unlawful parcelling out of state-owned peri-urban land for residential development.
This practice, he stated, is being undertaken in anticipation of future urbanization.
The President’s remarks came during a ceremony to commission newly constructed flats in the Dzivarasekwa high-density suburb of Harare.
The government built four apartment blocks with a capacity to accommodate 48 families who were previously affected by floods in the Budiriro high-density area in 2021. Said Mnangagwa:
<blockquote>
Further, my Government is stamping its authority on the scourge of land barons and will leave no stone unturned in efforts to stop this malpractice.
These malcontents had spread their wings to our rural areas, including in growth points, peri-urban areas, district service centres, rural service centres and villages in our communal areas.
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa urged prospective home seekers to verify the legitimacy of any land or residential stands they intend to purchase with the relevant authorities before completing any transactions. He said:
<blockquote>
I implore our traditional leadership to be alert, and vigilant and ensure that proper procedures are followed in parcelling out land.
The practice by some unscrupulous village heads to illegally parcel out land in anticipation of urbanisation in their areas of jurisdiction must stop forthwith.
Hence, in as much as there is a shortage of housing in the country, I would like to challenge citizens to make 
self-introspections when buying stands or land for housing development.
This includes engaging and verifying the authenticity with relevant authorities on land or stand transactions for proper guidance and advice before committing resources.
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa explained that several years ago, the government recognized that numerous unsuspecting citizens had fallen prey to unscrupulous land barons.
In response, the government embarked on a programme to regularise some of these unauthorised settlements, in alignment with the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy.
The President added that the special dispensation for this regularisation process had a cut-off date of 2021, which coincided with the promulgation of the National Human Settlements Policy. Said Mnangagwa:
<blockquote>
People must toe the line and we cannot tolerate lawlessness. Hence, any further illegal developments that emerged post the Policy launch will not be regularised.
</blockquote>
In recent years, there has been a proliferation of “Sabhuku land deals”. These are illegal transactions where traditional leaders, known as village heads or “sabhukus,” allocate or sell state-owned land to individuals in exchange for bribes.
These deals are particularly common in rural and peri-urban areas, often near towns and cities.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

President Mnangagwa warned traditional leaders like village heads not to sell state-owned land illegally. He said this is happening because people think the land will become part of cities in the future. He also told people looking for land to check with the right authorities before buying it to make sure it's legal. The government is working to stop illegal land deals by unscrupulous village heads. People who bought land illegally in the past might get a chance to make it legal, but after a certain date, all illegal land deals will not be allowed. These illegal land deals, also called "Sabhuku land deals," mostly happen in rural and peri-urban areas.

Mnangagwa Warns Traditional Leaders Over "Sabhuku Land Deals"

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have warned traditional leaders against the illegal parcelling out of land. They have made it clear that those found engaging in such unlawful practices will face prosecution.
This warning was delivered at an anti-corruption indaba hosted by Transparency International Zimbabwe, in partnership with ZACC, the NPA, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and other key stakeholders.
In a speech read on his behalf by Commissioner Mabel Ndakaripa Munyuki-Hungwe, ZACC chairperson Michael Reza said village heads were among the chief culprits and warned of stiff penalties. Said Reza (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zacc-npa-vow-to-crack-down-on-land-barons/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
I want to stress that we cannot afford to let corruption go unchecked in land allocation.
We believe that managing these resources based on our heritage is sacrosanct.
We must always remember that these resources belong not to us or the past generation, but to future generations, hence the need for sustainable management, especially in light of the devastating effects of climate change.
</blockquote>
Reza said ZACC had launched anti-corruption awareness programmes to curb widespread corruption in land allocation. He said:
<blockquote>
The commission has engaged citizens in Masvingo, Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland South provinces, equipping them with information to detect, avoid and report corruption in their localities.
The illegal parcelling of wetlands, destruction of river banks and mountains, and other ecologically sensitive zones remain a concern.
Uncontrolled parcelling of sensitive environmental areas has severe consequences for the ecosystem and economy.
</blockquote>
In a speech read on her behalf by the acting Deputy Prosecutor-General Justin Uladi, Prosecutor General Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said that anyone who pays or receives a bribe in land deals will be prosecuted. She said:
<blockquote>
These cases involve double allocation of stands, and unlawful land parcelling, and involve senior rural district council and urban council officers.
We are pleased that the public is reporting these cases. We encourage the public to desist from paying for land.
Land allocation follows proper procedures through rural district councils or urban councils, and applications must be filed accordingly.
Bribing traditional leaders or council workers for land is prohibited. Anyone who pays or receives a bribe will be prosecuted, and the bribe will be forfeited to the State.
</blockquote>
Numerous village heads across Zimbabwe are accused of illegally allocating or selling state-owned land, particularly in peri-urban areas.
Several village heads have already been arrested and brought before the courts to face charges related to the unlawful sale of state land under their administration.
“Sabhuku land deals” refer to illegal transactions involving traditional leaders (village heads) and land seekers in Zimbabwe.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's anti-corruption commission and prosecuting authority are warning traditional leaders not to give out land illegally. Anyone caught doing this will be punished. They say that corruption in land allocation is harmful for the environment and future generations. The authorities are running programs to make people aware of corruption in land deals. Anyone caught paying or receiving bribes for land will be prosecuted. Many village heads are being accused of selling state land illegally, and some have already been arrested. These shady deals are known as "Sabhuku land deals."

ZACC, NPA Go After Sabhuku Land Deals

The demolitions of poor people’s homes and other structures across the country to deal with illegal occupations of State land are mainly driven by three factors: politics, power and money.
<a href="https://thenewshawks.com/reasons-for-mnangagwas-ruthless-house-demolitions/">The NewsHawks</a> cited sources as saying President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi are using power and politics to create a new land market where money would be the main determinant of land occupations and settlements. One unnamed government official was quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
The minister has made it clear to us in government what’s going on here. The land belongs to the President, which means he uses his power for its spatial distribution and his politics of patronage and loyalty influence the dynamics of it.
But in the end, money will take centre stage and the land will now be sold at market rates, creating a new land market which is driven by power and politics. It’s a symbiotic relationship.
Since the beginning of February this year, authorities have demolished houses and settlements built on land acquired illegally in peri-urban communities including, for example, Gutu and Mushandike in Masvingo province, Chipinge in Manicaland, Dema and Goromonzi in Mashonaland East and different other places.
The illegal settlers bought the land from village heads and land barons linked to ZANU PF.
</blockquote>
The NewsHawks reported a source as saying it is also the government’s intention to sell the land after demolitions to create a new market in which ordinary people pay fair value for land even though Mnangagwa and other ZANU PF leaders got land for free. Said source:
<blockquote>
To be sure, the demolition of informal houses and structures is not a new phenomenon in Zimbabwe and elsewhere. 
What is new is some of the political actors, policy approach, frequency and intensity, as well as the motives and visibility which do vary.
What is new is the intensity, frequency, and agency (visibility and changing dynamics of its triggers and mechanisms of its unfolding in specific contexts).
There are three objectives of the demolitions: politics, power and money. These are the real underlying motives.
From the top, that is the Office of the President and Cabinet down to the minister’s office and government officials’ positions, they are all aware of the agenda.
The President and the Minister of Justice know very well what this is all about. It’s an elite project being driven by those who own land and houses which mostly they didn’t even buy in the first place. It’s hypocrisy of the worst order.
Of course, the rule of law must apply whenever there are illegal activities and criminality, but it must be applied even-handedly not just to the poor and vulnerable as the situation shows at the moment.
</blockquote>
In 2005, the ZANU PF-led government launched “Operation Murambatsvina” (Clear Filth) which resulted in mass evictions of urban dwellers from housing structures and the closure of various informal sector businesses throughout the country.
According to the United Nations, 700 000 people were forcibly evicted from their homes, made homeless or lost their source of livelihood.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mnangagwa's House Demolitions Mainly Driven By Politics, Power And Money | Report

Two village heads from Nyamandlovu appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Maxwell Ncube on Friday, 23 February facing a charge of unlawfully allocating 38 stands to home seekers.
As reported by the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200023533/village-heads-up-for-selling-state-land">Southern Eye</a>, the accused are Chikombingo Moses Nyamande (84) and village development committee member Danisa Nyathi (59).
They were not asked to plead before being remanded to 21 March for trial.
Nyathi and Nyamande are resettled farmers on gazetted State land.
It is the State’s case that since 21 January 2023, Nyamande and Nyathi have allocated stands to 38 villagers without State authority.
The villagers allegedly moved onto the land and built structures.
On 22 January this year, police received a tip-off that the duo were illegally parcelling out State land and visited the area where they discovered that 38 illegal settlers had already built housing structures.
The accused failed to produce documentation authorising the settlers to occupy the land in question leading to their arrest.
Police recently launched “Operation Order No To Land Barons” targetting people accused of being irregularly settled on State land.
This has resulted in the arrest of hundreds of villagers across the country.
Four village heads from Dema in Mashonaland East Province were convicted after appearing in court for selling stands in undesignated places and pocketing the proceeds.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Village Heads In Court For Selling State Land

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has criticised the government’s approach in dealing with illegal occupations of land and likened the eviction of villagers to the seizure of Arab land by Jewish settlers in Palestine since 1948.
This comes after the government demolished the homes of some villagers in Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces raising fears that the nation is slowly backsliding to the 2005 Operation Murambatsvina demolitions.
Many occupants facing demolitions had settled in the areas for decades only to be arrested and prosecuted for illegal land occupation.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/labour-blasts-govts-zionist-approach-to-land-evictions/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> on Tuesday, ZCTU secretary general, Japhet Moyo implored government officials to be humane and desist from creating a needless humanitarian crisis. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Land is a right and thus should be accessible to all individuals. In the past, we have noted the regularisation of informal settlements for political expediency.
Now that elections are over, politicians are looking the other way as if nothing is happening.
We are faced with a humanitarian crisis, we expect the government to approach the issue with cool heads.
A “Zionist” approach towards alleged illegal settlers is not a solution.
</blockquote>
Moyo said the ZCTU stands against the perpetuation of exclusionary colonial laws adding that some villagers are being evicted by greedy political bigwigs who want more land for themselves. He said:
<blockquote>
The same laws being invoked to evict villagers are also undermining the authority of traditional leaders who settled the villagers in the first place.
These villagers were not settling themselves, but they got a go-ahead from traditional leaders and in some cases, they got a go-ahead from land officers.
The operation has exposed our government’s ineptitude. It left the villagers undisturbed for decades only to bombard them with evictions on short notice.
If our leaders have the conscience and time for some soul-searching, they will realize their errors and omissions.
</blockquote>
On 13 February this year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said 3 700 people had been arrested countrywide under the ongoing Government operation dubbed “No To Land Barons and Illegal Settlements on Land”.
According to the Police, 28 people were arrested in Tokwane-Ngundu Resettlement, 26 people were arrested for allegedly occupying grazing lands and distributing gazetted land to their relatives at Lazy Five Farm in Karoi, and 123 people were arrested at Enyandeni Resettlement Area, Gwanda.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZCTU Condemns Govt's "Zionist" Approach Towards Illegal Land Occupiers

Members of Parliament on Tuesday pleaded with the Government to show empathy towards illegal settlers who are facing evictions, arrests and the destruction of their homes countrywide.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mps-plead-with-govt-to-treat-illegal-settlers-with-empathy-as-evictions-intensify/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, the lawmakers argued that though the Government was enforcing the law, the timing was wrong as the country is battling a cholera outbreak and in the middle of the rainy season.
Midlands Proportional Representative MP Tsitsi Zhou (ZANU PF) said the illegal allocation of land dates back to 2004. She said:
<blockquote>
Some evictions are ongoing countrywide and people are being arrested and taken to courts because they are settled illegally in resettlement and communal areas.
The government had taken a position to first identify land to allocate the illegal settlers in communal, resettlement and urban areas.
We need to appreciate the population growth and the government should treat illegal settlers the same way, whether they are in urban or communal areas with empathy to achieve the desired results.
</blockquote>
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, asked the MP to clarify whether she was condemning the Executive for implementing the law or not. Said Mudenda:
<blockquote>
The Executive is administering the law. What is the problem? You are condemning how the evictions are taking place?
</blockquote>
However, Zhou said it was how the process was being done that needed to be revisited. She said:
<blockquote>
I would like to believe that people have a right to shelter. There has been population growth since the Land Reform Programme and rural-to-urban migration.
Whilst we appreciate this, people are being resettled illegally. They are allocating land to each other through the village heads, councillors and all.
</blockquote>
Mudenda concurred with Zhou that the matter could be of national interest but requested her to ask the question to the relevant minister (Anxious Masuka) during the Q and A session. He said:
<blockquote>
Well, that may be a matter of national interest. I think you need to ask the question tomorrow. That will suggest what you are observing.
There is no way you can stop the Executive from evicting people who have illegally settled themselves.
</blockquote>
Maxwell Mavhunga (CCC) told Parliament that the timing of the evictions and not the enforcement of the law was wrong. He said:
<blockquote>
The enforcement is not the issue but the timing of the enforcement. It is during the rainy season and people have nowhere to go.
We are in a pandemic where there is cholera and people are being displaced at this particular time.
We have people on farms who are being evicted when they have planted their crops and they are told to leave within seven days.
</blockquote>
According to human rights lawyers, hundreds of villagers across the country have been evicted from their ancestral land by the Government for allegedly occupying gazetted land without lawful authority.
Some of the villagers have been in occupation of their land for more than 40 years and made tremendous improvements to their land.
Critics have dubbed the ongoing evictions “Murambatsvina 2” alluding to Operation Murambatsvina which was a large-scale, slum clearance operation in urban areas which was conducted in 2005.
An estimated 700 000 people lost their homes and/or livelihoods, with a further 2.4 million people indirectly affected. An estimated 92 460 homes were destroyed during the blitz.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

MPs Criticise Evictions, Arrests Of Illegal Settlers

Self-exiled former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Walter Mzembi, has suggested that ZANU PF has been hijacked by imperialists and neoliberals who are now forcing rural people off State land.
Mzembi said the ruling party would not evict landless people even if they occupied State land illegally and would instead, regularise the irregular settlements as happened with the Fast-track Land Resettlement Programme around the year 2000.
He made the comments in response to the Government’s ongoing “No To Land Barons and Illegal Settlements on Land” operation which has resulted in more than 3 700 arrests countrywide.
Posting on X, Mzembi said the law can easily be amended to align with the situation on the ground, adding that nothing stops President Emmerson Mnangagwa from putting the evictions to an end. Said Mzembi:
<blockquote>
ZANU PF will not evict the landless even if they are on State land illegally, unless it has been hijacked by imperialists and neoliberals.
Fast Track Land Reform in itself was an illegality according to the laws of the land of the time.
Law is a product of a political process, so it was made legal by the political objectives of addressing skewed land ownership of the time.
So we have a revolutionary precedent that prevents abuse of the landless in the name of the law.
President Mnangagwa is symbolically what the King is in England except we are a Republic but he can stop this bureaucratic nonsense on instruction.
</blockquote>
According to human rights lawyers, hundreds of villagers across the country have been evicted from their ancestral land by the Government for allegedly occupying gazetted land without lawful authority.
Some of the villagers have been in occupation of their land for more than 40 years and made tremendous improvements to their land.
Critics have dubbed the ongoing evictions “Murambatsvina 2” alluding to Operation Murambatsvina which was a large-scale, slum clearance operation in urban areas which was conducted in 2005.
An estimated 700 000 people lost their homes and/or livelihoods, with a further 2.4 million people indirectly affected. An estimated 92 460 homes were destroyed during the blitz.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"ZANU PF Has Been Hijacked By Imperialists And Neoliberals"

The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Winston Chitanda, has warned space and land barons in Mabelreign, Harare, that their illegal shenanigans will not be tolerated.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 13 February Chitando said only the Ministry or local authorities are empowered by the law to sell, lease or offer a lease with the option to purchase, Stateland or Council land.
Chitando, who was in the company of the Deputy Minister and Permanent Secretary of Local Government and Public Works and Secretary for Harare Metropolitan Province, met with high-level officials from the City of Harare, led by the Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume, the Member of Parliament for Harare West Constituency, Honorable J. Mamombe (MP) and some residents of Ward 16, which covers Mabelereign suburb yesterday. He said:
<blockquote>
It was brought to our attention that there have been and continue to be illegal invasion of greenway spaces in Mabelreign, on Stateland and Council land, led by land and space barons.
I want to make it abundantly clear that Government’s position is that it is illegal to parcel out State land or council land for whatever purpose, which responsibility is bestowed only on local planning authorities.
It is also illegal, for any person who is not authorized by the Ministry or the Council, to sell, lease or offer a lease with option to purchase, of Stateland or Council land.
All stakeholders are encouraged to work together to ensure that there is sanity in the greenways of Mabelreign.
Illegal allocations of land in general and in urban areas, inclusive in greenways in Mabelreign, will not be tolerated.
</blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said that as of 12 February 2024, a total of 3 775 suspects have been arrested with 985 convictions being made by the courts, while 3 360 cases are pending trial under the ongoing Government’s country-wide operation, “No To Land Barons and Illegal Settlements on Land”.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Space And Land Barons Wreak Havoc In Mabelreign

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) lawyers are representing hundreds of villagers across the country who have been evicted from their ancestral land by the Government for allegedly occupying gazetted land without lawful authority.
Some of the villagers have been in occupation of their land for more than 40 years and made tremendous improvements to their land.
Under the ongoing “No To Land Barons and Illegal Settlements on Land” operation launched by the Goverment this year, more than 2 700 people have been arrested. The ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
Across Zimbabwe, we are representing hundreds of distressed villagers, who are accused of illegally occupying their ancestral land.
In Chipinge in Manicaland province, our lawyer [Tariro Tazvitya], is representing 327 villagers, who reside in Mahachi village and are accused of illegally occupying Mahachi village.
Of the 327 villagers, 80 of them reside in Munyokowere village and are accused of illegally occupying Munyokowere village.
In Masvingo Province, we have filed an appeal at Masvingo Magistrates Court seeking to suspend an order for the eviction of some villagers from their ancestral land.
The villagers were recently convicted of occupying gazetted land without lawful authority as defined in section 3(1) of the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act by Masvingo Magistrate Ivy Jawona and sentenced to serve three months in prison, which was wholly suspended.
In addition, Magistrate Jawona ordered the villagers to vacate their land within 7 days. Now, the villagers, who are represented by Phillip Shumba of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, have asked the Masvingo Magistrates Court to stay their eviction pending the determination of their appeal against both conviction and sentence by the Masvingo High Court.
The villagers filed the appeal at Masvingo High Court on 9 February 2024 challenging their conviction and sentence by Magistrate Jawona.
In the appeal, the villagers argue that Magistrate Jawona erred and misdirected herself in convicting and sentencing the villagers for illegally occupying gazetted land as some of them have been in occupation of their land for more than 40 years and had effected tremendous improvements to their land.
The villagers want the High Court to overturn their conviction and set aside their sentence and refer their matter to the Constitutional Court for a determination of the constitutionality of their eviction.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Human Rights Lawyers Challenge Eviction Of Villagers From Ancestral Lands

The Government has warned chiefs, headmen and village heads that those who are selling State land to desperate land seekers face dismissal and prosecution.
Four village heads from Dema in Mashonaland East Province have since been convicted after appearing in court for selling stands in undesignated places.
The parcelling out and selling of State land has become rampant, not only in Dema but countrywide, especially close to growth points and peri-urban areas.
The Director of Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Gabriel Masvora told The Sunday News that the Government is conducting capacity-building workshops within the country’s eight rural provinces to conscientise traditional leaders on their role and ensure they do not overstep their mandate.
He said the issue of land distribution in exchange for bribes was one of the major objectives of the workshops due to an unprecedented increase in “Sabhuku deals”. Said Masvora:
<blockquote>
The sale of State land is illegal. The duties of a village head are spelt out in Section 12 of the Traditional Leaders Act 29:17 and do not include land allocation.
The land is allocated by the rural district council concerned after the submission of names of those who want communal land to the council and a resolution is then made.
Our ministry carried out capacity-building workshops from May 2022 to April 2023 at all the eight rural provinces in every district and the meetings were attended by chiefs, headmen and village heads.
The duties of each traditional leader were explained and illegalities were spelt out. Chiefs and headmen supervise village heads, and where the rampant sale of land occurs, they are empowered by the law to recommend dismissal.
We continue to engage the Council of Chiefs which is an assembly of elected traditional leaders and the provincial assembly chairpersons to continue to raise awareness of the illegality of land sales and the consequences thereof.
Several village heads have been convicted of illegal land sales in the country with the recent example of Dema village heads convicted on 8 January 2024.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs president Chief Mtshane Khumalo said that traditional leaders are aware that State land should not be sold and those engaging in illicit land deals should be arrested.
Early this month, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said police will arrest land barons and anyone illegally selling land in the country, regardless of their status.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged members of the public to verify the status of any land before being settled or made to pay for purported allocation or development.
He said the public should report criminal activities by land barons at any nearest Police Station or National Complaints Desk number on (0242) 703631 ог WhatsApp number 0712 800 197.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Village Heads Risk Dismissal, Prosecution For "Sabhuku Land Deals"

The arrest of suspected land barons across the country has reportedly divided ZANU PF as some of the targeted individuals believe they are being used to settle scores.
Last month, ZANU PF issued a statement distancing itself from some of its officials who were allegedly involved in the invasion of farms, especially in urban areas where they sold housing stands to home seekers.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has also arrested several suspected land barons across the country.
Some of the suspected land barons who spoke to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200021802/blitz-against-land-barons-divides-zanu-pf">The Standard</a> over the weekend said that it was unfair that they were being targeted after helping President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU PF win last year’s elections.
Arrests in connection with the illegal sale of State land were made in Mutare, Chivhu and Nyabira.
In Chivhu, more than 33 villagers are resisting an eviction order claiming that ZANU PF officials were planning to resettle some officials on the land after the completion of the Chivhu Dam.
Suspended ZANU PF Mutare district coordinating committee chairman Binali Yard and some members of his committee were arrested and spent the Christmas holidays behind bars for allegedly selling land in Mutare’s Gimboki area.
Some war veterans were arrested after grabbing a farm in Nyabira and parcelling out residential stands.
A Harare land developer, who spoke on condition of anonymity said (via The Standard):
<blockquote>
Some individuals are being targeted and there is a list of members who are being targeted for the arrests.
Surprisingly, this is also being done on factional lines.
If you know that you don’t support President Emmerson Mnangagwa while backing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, you are in trouble.
</blockquote>
Reports claim Mnangagwa and Chiwenga lead different factions in ZANU PF that are tussling to control the former liberation movement.
A senior ZANU PF official claimed that most land barons had the backing of powerful individuals in the party’s structures. He said:
<blockquote>
Many reports have been made against the land barons even at the party, but some are untouchable since they represent some powerful individuals.
To become a land baron you will have to have some paperwork.
You cannot be a land baron without paperwork. They have some form of documentation.
The papers might not be in order, but they will have something that equips them with powers to distribute land.
Even if they are arrested most of the cases usually die with the perpetrators rarely facing any consequences.
That is the reason most of them remain in the structures so that they protect their interests.
Most people in leadership positions from provinces to districts are also involved in land deals, but they target agricultural land in conjunction with land officials.
</blockquote>
ZANU PF Director of Information and Publicity Farai Marapira dismissed reports of factionalism caused by the arrests of land barons. He said:
<blockquote>
ZANU PF is never divided, especially concerning issues of illegality. ZANU PF is united over the issue of addressing land barons and will leave no stone unturned to ensure this scourge is dealt with.
</blockquote>
The illegal activities of land barons have resulted in the mushrooming of shanty settlements across the country and the construction of homes on wetlands and riverbanks in urban areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Arrest Of Land Barons Divides ZANU PF

The City of Harare has warned residents against buying land in Strathaven off Westminister Road saying land barons are illegally parcelling out stands in the area.
In a statement, signed by the Town Clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango, the local authority said residents should not buy stands from land barons as they will lose their hard-earned money. Said Chisango:
<blockquote>
It has come to our attention that some land barons are illegally selling land to unsuspecting residents in Strathaven off Westminister Road.
Residents are therefore advised against dealing with the land barons as they risk losing money.
The City will immediately move in and enforce the law to stop the illegal sale of stands in the area.
For more information and clarity please contact the Town Clerk’s office or the City Housing Department.
</blockquote>
On Wednesday, 10 January, the Chief Director of Spatial Planning and Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Shingirayi Mushamba, urged Zimbabweans to exercise patience and desist from acquiring land from land barons.
Mushamba said that the Government has earmarked land for housing stands in all the country’s 10 provinces.
The illegal activities of land barons have resulted in the mushrooming of shanty settlements across the country and the construction of homes on wetlands and riverbanks in urban areas.
From time to time, local authorities, especially the City of Harare, demolish structures built on land acquired illegally leaving residents, who would have spent their life savings on buying the land and building houses, in the open and at the mercy of weather elements.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Harare City Council Warns Residents Against Land Barons In Strathaven

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned people involved in illegal land allocation. The police emphasise that regardless of a person’s social standing or status, they will be held accountable under the law. In a statement seen by Pindula News, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the police national spokesperson, advised individuals seeking land to verify with the appropriate authorities if the land being sold has been legally acquired before making any transactions. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
<h3>CRIMINAL ACTS AND ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS ON LAND IN RURAL AND URBAN SETUPS</h3>
Reference is made to the Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Doctor Anxious Masuka’s press release issued on 03. January 2024 in connection with illegal settlements on agricultural land and criminal acts by land barons who are unlawfully parcelling land in both rural and urban setups. This statement has also been buttressed by the remarks made by Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Winston Chitando and Minister of National Housing and Amenities, Honourable Daniel Garwe on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Television on rd January 2024.
The public is accordingly advised that the Zimbabwe Republic Police will arrest anyone engaged in illegal land allocation irrespective of status and social standing.
Members of the public are implored to verify the status of any land before being settled or made to pay for purported allocation or development.
The public should report criminal activities by land barons at any nearest Police Station or National Complaints Desk number on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp number 0712 800 197.
</blockquote>

<ul>
<li class="text-4xl border-b-2 border-[#e8e9ea] tracking-tight pb-4 font-bold pt-4"><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/01/land-and-space-barons-should-be-criminalised-mafume/">Land And Space Barons Should Be Criminalised – Mafume</a></li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Zimbabwe Police Has Warned People Involved In Illegal Land Allocation

Twenty-seven (27) families in Budiriro, Harare, whose homes were flooded after heavy rains caused the Marimba River to overflow are set to be accommodated at the newly constructed flats in Dzivarasekwa Extension.
Fifty-nine households in Harare’s Budiriro 5B Extension and the paddocks area of Kuwadzana were recently forced out of their homes by flash flooding along the Marimba River.
Some of the affected families have been evacuated to Budiriro 3 Primary School where they are being temporarily housed.
National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe, Local Government and Public Works Minister Winston Chitando and Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Charles Tavengwa, on Sunday, 31 December visited the areas affected by floods in Budiriro and then went on to inspect Dzivarasekwa flats.
Speaking during the tour, Chitando said that the 27 families will occupy Dzivarasekwa flats that were identified two years ago when flash floods swept through the suburb. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021583/govt-abandons-flood-victims">NewsDay</a> quoted Chitando as saying:
<blockquote>
Two years back the minister of Housing went to Budiriro and confirmed the illegality of the houses which are on a wetland next to a river and arranged that the people be moved to these flats unfortunately before they could be moved, tragedy struck but the units are ready and families will be moved.
From a public works perspective, we are handing over the units to the Ministry of Housing which will handle the process accordingly.
</blockquote>
Garwe said the flats will be handed over to the 27 families once they are spruced up by the Department of Public Works in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. He said:
<blockquote>
We have 100 metres of sewer lines that need to be connected and external works need to be spruced up as well.
Once that is done, then we wait for the commissioning of the four blocks as well as the handing over to the 27 families.
We have 48 units here and these units are not designed for flood victims only, it is just a coincidence that flood victims need attention.
We are providing accommodation to Zimbabweans throughout the country and this is not the only place where flats are being constructed.
We have got flats in the Midlands in Gweru, Marondera, Mutawatawa and even in rural communities we are now building flats.
</blockquote>
Tavengwa said houses illegally built on wetlands would be demolished. He said:
<blockquote>
People are being affected because we do not have a master plan. We have to abide by the law and what has to be demolished will be demolished. We have to have a planned society.
</blockquote>
One of the flood victims, Susan Mlambo Chaputika, said she moved to Budiriro in 2015, and the following year, they realised that the area was flood-prone. She said:
<blockquote>
During the 2016 rainy season, we noticed that the area was prone to flooding. We reported the matter to the council and they said they would attend to it but to date, they have not done anything.
The issue of floods kept recurring every season and between 2019 and 2021 that is when we alerted government officials and the matter became public.
Government responded by setting up evacuation centres. They said some flats were being built in Dzivarasekwa, we went there and we saw that there was progress and today they are telling us that we will be moved in January.
</blockquote>
An Environmental Management Agency (EMA) official Liberty Mugadza recently told ZBC News that the City of Harare ignored an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in allocating residential stands to Budiriro homeowners whose houses have been inundated by floodwaters.
He said they gave the local authority a map of the area indicating where houses should not be built.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Budiriro Flood Victims Set To Be Moved To Dzivarasekwa Flats

A woman whose six-year-old son was swept away and killed by the floods in Budiriro last week has said she was being threatened by land barons.
The woman, who chose to identify herself as Shildah, told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/budiriro-flood-victims-moved-to-dzivarasekwa-flats/">The Herald</a> that she had to seek shelter at Budiriro 3 Primary School because she was being threatened by land barons for reporting that her son was swept away by the floods. She said:
<blockquote>
I am being threatened on why I reported that my child was swept away by the floods. I was being blocked on the roads and from having access to basic necessities.
</blockquote>
The body of the boy was recovered some 5km downstream from her place of residence on Wednesday.
Land barons, most of whom are linked to ZANU PF, have been illegally selling council and State land to home seekers over the years.
Last week, ZANU PF distanced itself from land barons illegally parcelling out land in different parts of the country using its name and demanded that law enforcement agencies ensure that the law takes its course.
In a statement, ZANU PF acting secretary-general Patrick Chinamasa said that the ruling party did not condone the unlawful land occupations and illegal activities of land barons.
Harare Residents Trust (HRT) director, Precious Shumba, recently told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021584/council-by-laws-to-criminalise-land-barons">NewsDay</a> that land barons were to blame for flooding in Budiriro this month which affected several families. Said Shumba:
<blockquote>
Flooding is predictable in wetlands and low-lying areas such as Budiriro.
With all that knowledge, corrupt people in both council and the government have been collaborating with land barons to allocate people residential stands on the wetlands and water pathways without any consideration of the impacts of their actions.
If you visit and interview some of the victims, they reveal that identified council officials have misled the City of Harare by collecting money from the land barons and promising the desperate home seekers that nothing will happen to them.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mother Of Budiriro Boy (6) Swept Away By Floods Threatened By Land Barons

Statement by ZANU PF acting Secretary-General Patrick Chinamasa on Unlawful Land Occupations and the Illegal Activities of Land Barons:
<blockquote>
ZANU PF Statement on Unlawful Land Occupations and the Illegal Activities of Land Barons
1. ZANU PF is alarmed at the mushrooming and proliferation of illegal occupations and settlements on Communal, Local Authority and State land in and around major towns and cities, Rural Service Centres and Growth Points and perpetrated by Land Barons some of which are masquerading as ZANU PF supporters and through use of name dropping falsely suggest that their illegal activities have the authority and blessings of ZANU PF. Yet other Land Barons are using doctored and falsified documents as one of the strategies to mislead innocent Stands buyers to part with their hard-earned cash.
2. These illegal activities of Land Barons are currently very prevalent in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Manicaland Provinces.
MASHONALAND WEST
3. In Mashonaland West province Land Barons are illegally parcelling out land on Lot 4 Somerby farm, fronting the Harare – Bulawayo Highway formerly owned by West Stone Hurst (Pvt) Ltd and measuring 102 hectares. Illegal settlements on Lot 4 Somerby farm, not only are they illegal but have given rise to violent clashes causing injuries to six persons namely Timothy Kuguyo, Monalisa Kuguyo, Medial Kuguyo, Kevin Gemu, Agnes Bhero and Otilia Gemu.
4. Also in Mashonaland West Province the following further farms are also being affected by illegal occupation and settlements; Penrose farm (143 ha), Lilfordia (660 ha), Haydon (744.57) Rainham (1200 ha) and Spitzkop (477 ha)
5. On Haydon Farm 4.1 ha of open spaces earmarked for a school and a hotel have been illegally occupied.
MASHONALAND EAST PROVINCE
6. In Mashonaland East Province, Land Barons are illegally selling residential stands on Resettlement Farms and the affected farms include, in Seke District under Manyame Rural District Council Longlands Farms, Kimcote Farm, Mnandi Farm which belongs to the late Cde Amos Midzi and Ealing farm which belongs to the late Colonel Katuka. Also badly affected by the prevailing wave of illegal occupations are villages outside Chitungwiza and most Rural Service Centres in Seke District, in particular, the Dema area has not been spared from the illegal land occupations.
7. Under The Goromonzi Rural Council area illegal settlements have been taking place at Proton Farm, Caledonia Farm and villages in the Domboshava and Chishawasha. In Caledonia, Land Barons are selling out land randomly and occupying spaces reserved for schools and clinics. Worse in the Goromonzi area is the fact that individual villagers and village heads have joined Land Barons in selling their land to prospective land buyers in rural areas like Chinhamhora and Chishawasha area.
MANICALAND PROVINCE
8. In Manicaland Province the ZANU PF Mutare DCC Chairman Yard Binali and some of the Mutare DCC members Brian Marange, Tawanda Ndawe, Webster Mudzimwa and Trust Matima are at the centre of the illegal distribution and occupations of land in the Gimboki area.
9. Also in Manicaland Province illegal parcelling out of land by unknown Land Barons has been reported to be taking place along Rusape River which provides water to Rusape town, but luckily the Law Enforcements Agents Police, Army and President’s Office have timeously intervened to stop the illegal resettlements.
10. In all illegal land occupation and parcelling out of stands the pegging of the stands is done using rudimentary methods measuring the perimeter of the stands using “nhano”.
ZANU PF POLICY ON ILLEGAL LAND SETTLEMENTS AND ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES OF LAND BARONS
ZANU PF wishes it to be known that on illegal occupations, illegal sale illegal parcelling out of stands and any illegal land developments on Communal, Local Authority, State and Privately owned Land its Policy is as stated below:
a) ZANU PF condemns without reservation the illegal settlements occupations, parcelling out and sale, of the aforementioned land without the permission of the relevant authority
b) ZANU PF’s policy is for planned urban settlements and this can only be done by relevant Local and Central Government Authorities.
c) ZANU PF has never granted authority to any of its general membership including persons who hold leadership positions at any level in the structures of the Party to participate in illegal occupations and land distributions whether as Buyers or Land Barons.
d) ZANU PF calls upon Law Enforcement Agencies to enforce the law without fear or favour.
e) ZANU PF wishes it to be known loud and clear that there is no land which should be considered to have no administering authority. Communal land is administered under the Communal Lands Act and is vested in the President of the Republic. State Land is also vested in the President and administered variously under the Ministries of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Water and Local Government and Public Works. Other land fall under the jurisdiction of Local Authority Councils. Finally, there is land which falls under private ownership. Therefore any occupation or settlement or development of any land requires the lawful, authorization of the relevant Planning Authority which has jurisdiction over such land.
f) Unplanned settlements are a recipe for future disaster and a Town Planner’s nightmare as they come without the necessary infrastructure such as water, sewerage, roads and electricity and invariably without land set aside for social amenities such as schools, hospitals, clinics, sporting facilities and business centres. It costs more in terms of resources to take corrective measures over illegally settled land.
g) ZANU PF Manicaland Province has already taken disciplinary action against the Mutare DCC Chairman Mr Binali and a number of his DCC colleagues, namely Brian Marange, Tawanda Ndawe, Webster Mudzimwa and Trust Matima. ZANU PF will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against any of its members reported to be participating in illegal Land Occupations and distribution whether as Buyers or Land Barons.
h) Finally ZANU PF demands that all illegal land occupations, illegal sale or parcelling out of land or stands and illegal land developments should stop forthwith and calls upon Law Enforcement Agencies to enforce the law and bring any perpetrators to book.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZANU PF Statement On The Illegal Activities Of Land Barons

ZANU PF has demanded that all illegal land occupations, sale or parcelling out of land and stands, as well as illegal developments, on communal, local authority and State land stop forthwith.
In a statement issued on Saturday, 30 December, ZANU PF acting Secretary-General Patrick Chinamasa warned land barons masquerading as ZANU PF members to stop their illegal activities. Said Chinamasa:
<blockquote>
ZANU PF is alarmed at the mushrooming and proliferation of illegal occupations and settlements on communal, local authority and State land in and around major towns and cities, rural service centres and growth points, and perpetrated by land barons, some of whom are masquerading as ZANU PF supporters and, through use of name dropping, falsely suggest that their illegal activities have the authority and blessings of ZANU PF.
Yet other land barons are using doctored and falsified documents as one of the strategies to mislead innocent stand buyers to part with their hard-earned cash.
</blockquote>
ZANU PF demands that all illegal land occupations, illegal sale or parcelling out of land or stands and illegal land developments should stop forthwith and calls upon law enforcement agencies to enforce the law and bring any perpetrators to book.
Chinamasa said no land in the country should be considered to have no administering authority. He said:
Communal land is administered under the Communal Lands Act and is vested in the President of the Republic. State land is also vested in the President and administered variously under the ministries…
<blockquote>
Other land fall under the jurisdiction of local authority councils. Finally, there is land which falls under private ownership.
Therefore, any occupation, settlement or development of any land requires the lawful authorisation of the relevant planning authority which has jurisdiction over such land.
</blockquote>
The ZANU PF Treasurer-General said illegal activities by land barons were prevalent in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Manicaland provinces.
He said in Manicaland, action had been taken against five party members over illegal land deals.
The illegal activities of land barons have resulted in the mushrooming of shanty settlements across the country and the construction of homes on wetlands and riverbanks in urban areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZANU PF Warns Land Barons

Land officers have been urged to shun corruption in discharging their duties, especially in land distribution and dispute resolution, reported <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/?p=18590">ZBC News</a>.
The call was made by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Obert Jiri.
Jiri was speaking at a one-day land use and planning management training workshop held at the Midlands Convention Centre in Gweru last Thursday. Said Jiri:
<blockquote>
Let us make the land issue the pride of our nation through cultivating a culture of absolute transparency, and sincerity, and fostering a corrupt-free environment.
I want to take this opportunity to warn you that whoever will be involved in corruption entanglements will face the long arm of the law.
We want you to represent the ministry well by executing your duties well.
</blockquote>
Jiri also said there is a need to rotate land officers as a measure to mitigate corruption.
Ministry of Land officials have been accused of rampant illegal sales and distribution of state land.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Land Officers Warned Against Corruption

Police have confirmed the arrest of five suspected land barons in Mutare for illegally allocating housing stands on land that doesn’t belong to them.
In a statement this Wednesday, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi identified the suspects as Binali Yard (48), Webster Mudzimwa (39), Tawanda Ndawe (42), Trust Matima (39), Brian Marange (59). Said Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has intensified operations against the illegal allocation of housing stands by land barons in several parts of the country in line with the recent press release on illegal settlements on agricultural land by the Honourable Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr A.J. Masuka and in conjunction with Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ministers, Provincial Development Coordinators and Ministry of Local Government and Public Works responsible for urban and local authorities.
</blockquote>
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi urged members of the public to report illegal acts by land barons by contacting the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police Arrest Five Land Barons in Mutare

The Harare City Council has warned residents against buying residential stands on the remainder of Lot 3 of Porta Farm in Norton.
In a statement, Harare Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango said that the local authority is not selling the land, and those doing so are doing it illegally. He said:
<blockquote>
The City of Harare would like to advise members of the public that there are individuals illegally selling residential stands on the remainder of Lot 3 of Porta Farm in Norton.
Be advised that the property is wholly owned by City of Harare. The city is NOT selling the land.
The public is therefore warned against dealing with these land barons and report such occurrences to the nearest police station and to the City of Harare.
Any inquiries regarding this farm should be directed to the office of the Town Clerk.
</blockquote>
Local authorities in Zimbabwe face the challenge of “land barons”, politically connected individuals or groups who illegally acquire land, often through corrupt means, and then sell it for personal benefit.
This often results in the demolition of properties built on the land and the forced eviction of the settlers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Land Barons Descend On Porta Farm In Norton

Hundreds of illegal settlers in Retreat, Waterfalls, Harare are counting their losses after their dwellings were demolished on Friday last week.
More than 300 illegal structures were destroyed to allow Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church (UFIC) to occupy the land that the families had been allocated by land barons.
The demolitions took place in an area popularly known as kumaCongo because some of the illegal stands were occupied by Congolese.
The Congolose reportedly bought the stands from a land baron who was popularly known as Nkomo but is now deceased.
Anti-riot police were deployed to the area on Friday ahead of the demolitions and were ordering people to leave by 3.30 PM.
In December 2022, UFIC founder and leader, Makandiwa gave the illegal settlers time to remove their structures on their own.
One of the evictees told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200019179/honeymoon-over-as-thousands-evicted-from-makandiwa-land">NewsDay</a> that they thought that there would be no demotions since they bought the stands through a ZANU PF “chairman”. He said:
<blockquote>
We were aware that Makandiwa was the owner of the land because we were issued notices long back.
We were just relaxed thinking that there would not be demolitions since we bought the stands through ZANU PF “chairman”. 
Some stands were sold for between US$10 and US$20. Anyone could wear party regalia and sell. This usually happens towards elections.
Some papers even had the City of Harare stamps. Some stands were advertised on Facebook and unsuspecting people could buy for US$2 000.
</blockquote>
UFIC secured a court order to demolish the 300 illegal structures on 19 September 2022 under case no HC3515/21.
Part of the land is earmarked for a housing scheme by UFIC members, Operation Nehemiah Housing Project.
UFIC spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufakunesu told NewsDay that the settlers were given notice on several occasions. He said:
<blockquote>
We obtained a court order, but Father Makandiwa gave reprieve to the settlers in December fearing that their property could be damaged by rains.
The people were told several times that the land belonged to UFIC but they have remained at the place.
Land barons were selling the land and we kept telling people it was ours. Maybe they bought out of desperation.
</blockquote>
The cleric added that the land was earmarked for an orphanage, church and residential stands.
Kufakunesu said more than 500 housing structures, flats and single houses would be built.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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