The Government has issued a strong warning that village heads and traditional leaders involved in the sale or facilitation of State land will be categorized as “land barons” and face arrest.
Officials are urging anyone with solid evidence of such activities to come forward to support law enforcement efforts. This announcement comes in light of disturbing reports that certain village heads, especially in peri-urban areas such as Domboshawa, Seke, Nyabira, Rusape, and Chesa Farm, have unlawfully settled over 10,000 individuals through a clandestine network.
These village heads are said to collaborate with local residents to sell land, forging documents and obtaining approvals from higher traditional authorities, including chiefs, who are also reportedly profiting from these dealings.
In a recent National Assembly session, Professor Amon Murwira, standing in for Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, reiterated the Government’s firm position.
“Village heads involved in land sales are termed land barons. Such actions are illegal, and they are to be arrested. This is Government policy,” he warned.
Prof Murwira’s remarks were in response to concerns from Albert Nyakuedzwa, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, regarding the issue of illegal settlements in peri-urban areas.
A follow-up question from another MP suggested that some Government officials responsible for overseeing traditional leaders were aware of these illegal activities but failed to take action. Prof Murwira condemned this inaction as corruption.
“The concern raised shows that there are individuals within the Government and local authorities who may know about these activities. This is what we define as corruption, and we have laws to combat it. Those who engage in corrupt practices must be held accountable,” he stated.
He also warned that individuals who turn a blind eye to illegal land sales are complicit and will face legal consequences.
National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda confirmed that traditional leaders do not have the authority to allocate State land.
“The Constitution mandates that the Government handle land allocation based on available resources. While progress may be slow in providing housing and stands, that does not justify illegal land sales,” he clarified.
Minister Soda issued a stern warning to those unlawfully distributing State land, asserting that they will face serious legal repercussions.
“Land barons will not have the opportunity to contribute; they will be directed straight to prison,” he declared.
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting land barons and addressing corruption in land distribution, urging the public to report any illegal land sales to the authorities.
