Online Reporter
Caption. Joseph (left) and Everson Mabvumbe at each other’s throat over land
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A GANDANZARA man’s attempt to evict his cousin from an ancestral land he has occupied for nearly three decades was rejected by Chief Makoni’s community court.
Joseph Mabvumbe had approached the court seeking to have Everson Mabvumbe evicted from the land, and claimed compensation of US$3 000 for destroyed houses and cut-down fruit trees.
However, the court ruled that the application was filed too late.
Joseph had claimed that he acquired the land from his maternal relatives and presented supporting affidavits to back his claim.
“Everson invaded my homestead and destroyed houses built there. He uprooted the trees in the orchard.
“I acquired that land from the Chivhiyo family, and I have papers to confirm that. Chivhiyo is also available in this court to testify as my witness,” Joseph told the court.
Everson said he was allocated the land by his late father, and had been co-existing with other family members, including Joseph, since he took occupation of the land three decades ago.
“I did not take his land. When I finished school, I moved to Mutasa District to work. I bought my stand at Triashill where I stayed for about six years. My father invited all his children, who had settled elsewhere to return, and he gave us pieces of land. I was given our grandfather’s homestead and land to farm. I developed some structures at the homestead and fenced the land.
“I have been staying at that place since 1997, and only to be shocked to receive summons to appear before this court. Why is he reporting this matter now when we have been co-existing peacefully all along? All the relatives are aware of where I reside and how I got the land,” Everson told the court.
A relative of the warring parties, whose name was not revealed in court, told the court that Joseph was allegedly been selling land belonging to their dynasty and was now targeting Everson’s land.
“My brother (Joseph) has a piece of land measuring eight hectares, which he is not utilising. He is, however, invading land from our family and selling it to strangers. He is doing this because most clan elders are now late,” said the relative.
Chief Makoni ruled in Everson’s favour, noting that he had been in charge of the land without any challenge for nearly 30 years, and deserved the court’s protection.
“Everson has been on the said land since 1997, and with this timeframe, he cannot be evicted. This has been his homestead for nearly three decades without any issues. If Joseph wants a piece of land to settle, he should approach the village head or headman. Stay away from Everson’s land. It has also emerged that Joseph is selling ancestral land belonging to other clan members, yet he has his own land. Joseph’s application is dismissed,” ruled the court.
