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Crime Reporter
MORE than 184 people have been arrested countrywide on allegations of illegally parcelling out land as police intensify a crackdown against land barons.
Investigations have so far revealed that some land barons are using falsified documents to deceive unsuspecting home seekers.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation would continue until there was order.
“This follows the proliferation of illegal settlements on communal, local authority and state lands, particularly around major towns, cities and growth points.
“The police has established that land barons are using falsified documents to deceive unsuspecting home seekers, resulting in unlawful constructions on state land, wetlands and grazing lands.
“The actions by land barons violate the country’s laws including the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act, Land Commission Act, the Rural District Councils Act and the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act.
“So far, the police have made 184 arrests on illegal land allocations. Members of the public are urged to come forward and report illegal acts by land barons to enable the law to take its course,” he said.
Comm Nyathi appealed to anyone with information regarding illegal land allocations to contact the National Complaints Desk on (024) 2703631, WhatsApp on 071 280 0197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
Meanwhile, 20 people were also recently arrested for invading a farm in Mutare.They have since appeared before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court for occupying gazetted land without lawful authority.
The 20 were named as: Peter Gore (33), Talent Buwerimwe 29), Fungai Hamundiwane (37), Gift Matanga(42), Samuel Siiwa (60), Anesu Mundonde (24), Moses Mukorera(35) Alington Muzeki (48), Tommy Chinhenga (52), Ereck Makukutu (55), Kudakwashe Rakabopa (41), Clemence Chirigo (39), Advance Tembo (42), Mathew Matemhe (49), Isaac Chimhenga (40), Ndazowana Jakachira (43), Washington Kind (35) and Noel Munaka (28).
According to the State, in 2021 the group illegally occupied Steakloop farm in Burma Valley, south of the Bvumba.
They were told to vacate the land but they defied the order and were reported to the police on January 29 this year. After the 20 failed to produce any offer letters they were arrested.
They have since been fined US$200 (or 20 days) each and were ordered to vacate the gazetted land not later than November 25.
Online Reporter