Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
The government has instructed villagers in Ward 21 of Bulilima district, who were sold and allocated land by Chief Mphini, to halt all further development activities.
This directive remains in effect until the issue is discussed during a full council meeting.
Bulilima District Development Coordinator, Mr Onesimo Zvogara confirmed the latest development.
He said, following numerous complaints from villagers that the land in question has always been pastures for their livestock, several meetings were held before it was finally resolved to order a halt to any further development.
“What is very clear is that the allocation of the land was improperly done by whoever did it, although villagers are sighting a certain traditional leader. We then decided to order a stop to any further development until a full council meeting comes up with a way forward,” said Mr Zvogara.
He said the occupied land was part of the corridor of development for the local authority that had earmarked it as their head office base, since they are at the moment operating from Plumtree Town.
Affected villagers claim that they got the land after paying Chief Mphini, who, however, is on record denying any involvement in the allocation of the land, saying it was in fact his village heads who sold the land.
