Two decades after a failed land reform, which saw the expulsion of over 400 white commercial farmers, the Zimbabwean government is now tackling illegal settlers on state land distributed by traditional leaders, land barons, and corrupt officials.
Since January 10th, a government initiative dubbed “No to Land Barons and Illegal Settlements on State Land” has been underway, targeting both rural and urban areas.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police reports that 3,775 individuals have been arrested thus far, with 985 brought before the courts, and some fined approximately US$50 each.
Most of the arrests involve individuals who purchased land from barons, village leaders, and corrupt government figures.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police’s records indicate that some of these individuals were resettled illegally on grazing land within former commercial farm areas acquired at the start of the century.
“In a notable case, Joyce Munamati, Manicaland’s provincial civic registrar responsible for land audits, faced court charges for selling state land, obtained through the land reform program, to a local businessman, Calvin Ziki, for US$15,000.
In another instance, Michael Sadziwa, a village head in Mutasa, Manicaland, appeared in court for dividing land on the outskirts of Osborne Farm – a property acquired from a commercial farmer to resettle landless locals.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Winston Chitando addressed concerns, stating, “We’ve observed illegal encroachments on greenway spaces in Mabelreign, state land, and council land.” He emphasized the government’s stance, stating that the allocation of state or council land for any purpose is unlawful.”
In response, the government has taken action by demolishing houses and other structures erected on illegally-acquired land. Some displaced individuals, left without shelter, have sought assistance from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) to engage with the state.
ZimRights has urged the government to cease evictions, citing widespread violations of human rights. However, the government maintains its commitment to settling citizens in an orderly manner on allocated land.
One affected individual informed News24 that he had missed out on acquiring land during the initial land reform of the early 2000s. He explained, “When the land reform began, there was a perception that it was politically motivated. Some of us hesitated to apply for land due to fears of reversals.”
Instead, he resorted to purchasing land from third parties. A 2010 investigation revealed that 40% of land acquired for redistribution ended up in the possession of then-president Robert Mugabe and his associates.
Last year, details of land ownership emerged during a divorce case involving his daughter, Bona Mugabe.
On January 19th, the Zimbabwean government lost a $125 million lawsuit to Border Timbers Limited in England.
Border Timbers, partly owned by German shareholders, had farms seized in Zimbabwe during the land reform period, despite a binding Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement signed by Zimbabwe and Germany in 1995.
Since 2010, the company has been seeking compensation without success. Now, it has the option to seize Zimbabwean assets in England to offset the debt if the government fails to pay.
However, Zimbabwe’s Attorney General, Virginia Mabiza, informed the state-controlled Herald that the country still has legal avenues available in the case.