CHIEF Masuku of Matobo district has ordered an immediate halt to the land redistribution exercise at Fox Farm, following allegations of corruption and systematic exclusion of long-term villagers.
He told Southern Eye that the move was necessary after it emerged that several locals under his jurisdiction were omitted on the list of beneficiaries in favour of outsiders.
Villagers at Fox Farm in Matabeleland South province are resisting what they describe as a corrupt attempt by senior officials to seize their land and re-allocate it to newcomers.
“I have ordered the whole process to stop until the right criteria are followed,” Chief Masuku said.
“We had agreed in several district lands committee meetings that we will start by formalising the stay of locals, but what is happening on the ground is different.
“We cannot allow people to abuse their offices to violate other people’s rights.”
He indicated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had made it clear that no one should be left behind in terms of development, adding that certain individuals were bent on obstructing this goal.
“We are peace-loving citizens, but if locals are not given first preference in their own area, where are they supposed to go?” he asked.
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“These are original people who have been here for more than 10 years, but they are being chased away to make room for outsiders. Until the right thing is done, we will not budge.”
The dispute pits long-term villagers against Matobo district lands officer Johane Zifunze and an unnamed Central Intelligence Organisation boss based in Gwanda.
Villagers allege that lands officials are systematically removing their names from the list of beneficiaries.
They also accuse the lands officer of conniving with certain locals to collect bribes from land seekers.
One villager, a Zanu PF branch official, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, claimed he was duped out of land and money.
“There is a syndicate involving the land officer and some locals,” he said.
“They came and bought a goat from me for US$40 for their relish during the redistribution process.
“They only gave me US$5 and promised the remainder would be my registration fee to complete the formalisation.
“I later realised I had been cheated when my name was not on the list. Instead, my stand was given to an outsider.”
Another villager claimed that his stand, on which he had made significant investment, was allocated to the relative of an official.
“Why are they targeting those who have made improvements? Why not allocate their friends undeveloped stands?” he asked.
A local man only identified as Nyagari, who is accused of being part of the syndicate, denied any wrongdoing.
“There is nothing like that happening. I’m not the lands officer. Go and ask them,” he said.
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Albert Nguluvhe said he was aware of the matter.
“I’m seized with the matter and will be on the ground this week to find an amicable solution,” Nguluvhe said.
“I have heard the chief’s side of the story. If locals are denied the right to their place, where are they going to go? I will be there to hear the story from the other side.”
