Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Thousands of illegal settlers here have been put on notice after it has emerged that the government has given a nod to the eviction of all people who settled on land which they acquired through backdoor channels without a seal of approval from the ministry of lands.
This development will see thousands of families being evicted as many people acquired land from village heads, kraal heads and other back door channels.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira last week said that the government will soon pound on all illegal settlers who were unlawfully allocated land in Chiredzi.
Speaking during a Zanu PF inter district meeting in Chiredzi’s Chitsanga Hall, Chadzamira warned illegally settled people in Chiredzi North and some parts of Chiredzi West that the government will have no mercy on them and also assured those who were on government waiting list that they are safe.
“Yes, evictions are coming without any hindrances but will be targeting those who were illegally settled without the knowledge of the Ministry of Lands. No one has the power to allocate land as it is the sole duty of the ministry responsible for lands,” said Chadzamira.
It is believed that a total of 1 081 illegal settlers will be send packing in Chiredzi North but what remains to be known is what will happen to the village and kraal heads who were behind the illegal distribution of the land.
Illegal settlers swarm the nine properties in Save Valley Conservation among them Feversham, Arda Magudu, Mutirikwe Section, Wasara Wasara, Chegwite and Mukazi where properties are protected under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA).
Last week, TellZim News published a story where the Mugabe clansmen were threatening to occupy the land housing the Great Zimbabwe Monuments after they were evicted from Zero farm where they settled at the onset of the Land Reform Programme.
