By Bright Zhou
A group of 13 individuals, including elderly women and men, appeared at Masvingo Magistrate’s Court facing charges of settling within prohibited land in Summerton, Masvingo West.
On February 13, 2024, all 13, who were residing in Village 9 in Summerton Resettlement Area under Chief Bere, appeared before Magistrate Ivy Jaona, who remanded them out of custody pending continuation of trial on February 24.
Jaona stated that individuals residing on prohibited areas or gazetted lands should produce permits, lease statements, or deeds from the government if they are to be spared.
She warned that if convicted, they would be given a few days to vacate, and failure to comply would result in a custodial sentence.
Masvingo District Lands Officer Takunda Chikura reported that on January 16, 2024, they teamed up with Masvingo Central and Rural police officers to carry out the operation.
“On January 16, 2024, we joined forces with Masvingo Central and Rural police officers to arrest Summerton illegal settlers in the ‘no to land barons’ operation. We asked them about lease agreements or permits for the land, but they had no permits from the government,” said Chikura.
Richard Phiri, one of the victims, stated that he had been living in Summerton Farm since 2008 and had nowhere to go if forced out.
“My family and I have been residing in Summerton Farm since 2008, and it’s difficult to leave because we have nowhere else to go,” said Phiri.
Another resident said that the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture had never informed them about settling on gazetted land. “We were never advised by the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture that we were settling on gazetted land. We were allocated the land by our traditional leaders, and the government knows our occupation was communal land,” said the resident.
Tarisai Muvengi prosecuted.
