Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – Villagers around Jerera have become a menace to the local Chief and Zaka Rural District Council after having joined their village heads in the gravy train of selling land to unsuspecting buyers who are enticed by proximity to Jerera Growth Point.
Chief Ndanga born Wilson Makono said selling of land was becoming a menace in these areas saying previously it was limited to village heads but has since cascaded to villagers themselves who are selling potions of their land despite continuous engagements by responsible authorities to stop the practice.
“Village heads used to be major culprits but now villagers themselves have joined in, they are selling portions of their land to land seekers because they are close to Jerera Growth point.
“We have been engaging them timely but they don’t listen. Now we are also engaging those who are buying land and telling them that when time of expansion comes they may see their homes being destroyed,” said Ndanga.
He went on to say they have local punitive measures to the acts but without people understanding it was still difficult for them to stop the act.
He also said apart from villagers themselves, other members of the royal families are also into illegal selling of land without the consent of substantive village heads with most of them selling land belonging to people who are now based in towns or abroad.
“Some members of the royal families are also selling land belonging to people who are based in towns or out of the country. I have received a number of cases where brothers to village heads sell land behind village heads’ back.
“They usually target land that has not been tilled for some time and when owners come back they would find structures already in place. However, we have regular punitive measures for such people and we are dealing with it,” said Ndanga.
The Chief said a piece of land had gone up to USD$1000 up from around US$400
“At first they were selling at round US$400 but because of demand, the prices have risen and recently I saw an advert advertising a piece of land being charged at US$1000,” said Ndanga
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Zaka Central legislator where the area falls under, Davis Marapira also confirmed the development and warned people against the act saying the long arm of the law will definitely catch up with them.
“It is true that land around Jerera Growth Point and along the road to Zaka Township has been sold without following proper procedures. Land belongs to the State. It is only the President through Local Government Ministry who can authorize selling of land for commercial or domestic use after following proper procedures.
“This is done illegally, the land being sold belongs to the community who uses the land for growing crops and keeping their livestock for their livelihood.
“The law is clear on that, those who sold land will be prosecuted whilst for those who bought the land, ignorance has no defence,” said Marapira.
The issue is prevalent in village Musiso, Mateko, Gwanya, Manyimo and Chipezeze among others and Zaka RDC is failing to stem the expansion of these villages into areas earmarked for Jerera expansion.
The illegal settlement emerged after council surveyed land in the surrounding villages and put it under Jerera expansion plan.
