Batoka new project: Govt to compensate displaced villagers

Fairness Moyana in Hwange
THE Government will compensate and assist people who will be displaced for the construction of new houses at Batoka township in Hwange District, it has been learnt.

The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Cde July Moyo, published a Statutory Instrument 188 of 2020 giving notice of the establishment of Batoka township and subsequent displacement of villagers. The township will be supported by the 2 300-megawatt project that is being built between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

“This notice may be cited as Communal Land (Setting Aside of Land) (Batoka Township) Notice 2020. The area of land specified in the Schedule shall be set aside with effect from 1st of January, 2021 for the purposes of establishing a township.

“Any person using or occupying the land specified in the Schedule, otherwise by virtue of a right held in terms of the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21:05) is ordered to depart permanently with his or her property, from the said land by the 31st of December 2020 unless he or she acquires rights of use or occupation to the said land in terms of section 9 (1) of the Communal Lands Act (Chapter 20:04),” reads part of the notice.

The SI, however, does not mention anything to do with compensation for losses of their land or alternative land prompting concerns and criticism over the development. However, the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs, Cde Richard Moyo, said the Government would relocate the affected families and support them through compensation.

“About 20 families are going to be affected by the project and will be relocated to other places to make way for the township. Government is going to assist with building of houses where they are going to be resettled. Government is going to support the whole process of relocation and yes there will be compensation. Whenever there is such a project that results in the displacement of people compensation is automatic,” said Cde Moyo.

He said those willing to be integrated into the township would be allowed to do so with Government paying for the construction of their houses.

“We are working with Hwange Rural District Council to ensure that the affected households are integrated into the township or those seeking to be relocated with their livestock will be assisted to do so,” said Cde Moyo.

It is understood the project will affect communities in Jembwe, Kasikili, Kanywambizi and Jabula which are Kachechete, Chidobe and Jambezi wards. Chief Shana under whose area the project is going to be developed said he has been assured that the affected households would be compensated.

“I’m yet to get in touch with the authorities but I was assured that no one would be evicted but they would use space not occupied in the communal area that had been identified. The issue of eviction is new to me, however, in any case affected families would need to be compensated since livelihoods would be affected. So, Government will have to carry the burden of ensuring that these people are taken care of.”

Meanwhile, Hwange Residents Trust said although the move was a welcome development, the Government has to compensate the affected households.

“Batoka Hydroelectric Power Project is a welcome development. All we are concerned is whether the Government will compensate and provide alternative resettlements,” said Mr Fidelis Chima, the organisation’s coordinator.

HRDC chief executive officer Mr Phindile Ncube said contrary to reports that communities had not been consulted, council had engaged them especially on the possibility of displacement.

“Communities that are going to be affected by the construction of the dam and township were engaged and the issue of displacement was also discussed. Projects of this magnitude have been known to have their fair share of implications as was witnessed during the construction of the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam in Masvingo. A lot of people were displaced and had to be resettled. The same is likely to happen in our case, there is nothing new in the creation of urban land in a communal area,” he said.