TellZim Reporter
In yet another acrimonious boundary tussle, Chief Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa has been dragged to court by a Mugabe clansman over a land dispute involving a piece of land the former is allegedly preparing for “zunde ramambo” community farming activities.
The piece of land in question, which Moses Mugabe, the applicant in the court case is claiming to be his father’s is in Village 33B, Chief Mugabe, Masvingo.
In his application, Mugabe claims that he had been farming on the said piece of land after his father, Kudakwashe Mugabe’s demise in 2014 until recently when Chief Murinye started the zunde activities on the land.
“I have been farming on said piece of land undisturbed until this farming season when the defendant started his activities.
“The respondent has infringed on my property rights in that he is making farming activities on my land under the guise that he is farming for the community under the Zunde initiative,” read part of the applying affidavit.
Mugabe further says the field in question was still registered in his father’s name and he intends to register in his name as required by law, adding that he possesses a householder/occupier’s certificate.
“I have approached other responsible authorities like the village head who referred me to this Honorable Court. I also sought help from the Rural District Council but I did not get the assistance I needed.
“The respondent is currently preparing the land for him to cultivate crops. As of the 14th of November 202, there were people preparing the land under his instruction,” further reads the application.
Contacted for comment, Chief Murinye said he could not speak on a case that is before the courts until it has been finalized.
“I am a lawyer and that case is before the courts so I cannot comment on it as it is sub judice,” Chief Murinye said.
Mugabe is claiming that Chief Murinye is only claiming the piece of land to settle a vendetta he had with the former’s late father, which involved the Murinye chieftaincy.
He also said the chief is saying the land has been a grazing area for years and was not being utilized for farming activities until this year when it is being used for the zunde ramambo community activities.
The two will be back in court on December 14 after the initial appearance on November 25.
This is not the first time Mugabe clansmen have been involved in land disputes following government orders for their kinsmen settled in Zero Farm near Great Zimbabwe Monuments to vacate the area, an order which was later revoked after they threatened to occupy the monuments if they had been displaced.
