Government has drawn the line on illegal land deals, announcing sweeping arrests, prosecutions and dismissals as it moves to dismantle criminal networks that have defrauded thousands of Zimbabweans.
In a press statement by Honourable Daniel Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, government condemned the “continued criminal occupation, subdivision and sale of land” by land barons, headmen, village heads and other individuals operating without lawful authority.
The Ministry said the illegal activities have resulted in illegal settlements, destruction of public infrastructure, environmental degradation, land disputes and the defrauding of Zimbabweans of their hard-earned money.
Declaring that “the era of lawlessness is over,” the Minister said His Excellency President Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa has directed that “criminality, corruption and abuse of public office in all sectors, including the administration of land, must cease forthwith.”
With immediate effect, government will: arrest and prosecute all identified land barons and subject them to the full penalties prescribed by law, arrest and remove from office any headman or village head found participating in, facilitating or benefiting from illegal land sales, in line with the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act and deploy multi-agency enforcement teams comprising law enforcement agencies, local authorities and the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe to identify, investigate and dismantle all criminal networks involved in illegal land allocations.
While recognizing traditional leaders as custodians of communal land, the Ministry warned that any abuse of that role will attract the full consequences of the law.
Minister Garwe said “investigations have been intensified and all illegal operations will be dismantled. Offenders will be prosecuted without fear or favour.”
“This statement serves as final notice to every land baron, headman, village head and illegal land dealer that your activities have no place in Zimbabwe,” he said
Government also cautioned citizens against buying land from developers, housing cooperatives or agents without lawful authority.
“Land purchased through illegal channels offers no legal protection, exposes buyers to financial loss and promotes unplanned settlements,” Minister Garwe said.
The public was urged to verify ownership, planning approval and development authority with the relevant local authority and Government departments, and to report cases to police.
