Govt warns Illegal settlers and land barons
Story by Mercy Bofu Matinha
GOVERNMENT has warned land barons and directed illegal settlers in Masvingo to vacate occupied spaces and follow the laid down procedures in acquiring land.
The government has stepped up Operation “No to Land Barons” across the country as part of efforts to ensure sanity prevails on State and Communal Land as well as Rural Services Centres and Peri-Urban areas.
In a media briefing in Masvingo this Friday, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Ezra Chadzamira noted the need to take urgent action to nip the illegal practice in the bud.
“Illegal settlers have occupied catchment areas, wetlands, grazing land and agriculture land hence affecting productivity and threatening dam and river catchments with situation. If you are illegally settled in the areas mentioned above in Masvingo, you are advised to vacate immediately and follow due procedures in acquiring land,” he said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on record warning land barons against illegal parcelling out of land.
In terms of the Zimbabwe Land Commission Act, it is a criminal offence to occupy state land without lawful authority in the form of a permit, an offer letter or a lease.
