Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
COMMUNITY leaders in Matabeleland South have bemoaned the growing wave of illegal land sales in communal areas, accusing some traditional leaders and syndicates of parcelling out State land for personal gain.
The concerns were raised during the burial of Mr Gideon Muleya, who is among the pioneers credited with establishing the Beitbridge Municipality following the Government’s upgrading of Beitbridge to a town in 2006, on Sunday morning.
Mr Muleya was also a respected religious leader and senior traditional leader in Beitbridge East.
He died on July 19 following a short illness at the age of 80.
Addressing hundreds of mourners, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South, Albert Nguluvhe, warned that the Government will descend heavily on traditional leaders and syndicates involved in the illegal transactions.
He stressed that anyone intending to settle in communal lands must do so within the confines of the laws of the country.
“Communal land belongs to the State and is held in trust for the people. No individual, including traditional leaders, has the right to sell it. Those doing so are breaking the law and undermining development,” said the Minister.
He revealed that a Government team is already on the ground recording and gathering information on all illegal land deals.
“We are documenting every case. Once the report is complete, the Government will act without fear or favour. The law will take its course,” he said.
According to records so far, Beitbridge’s Wards 15 (Lutumba-Makhavhane), 4 (Matshiloni) and 13 (Joko resettlement) are the worst affected by illegal land sales involving traditional leaders.
The practice has led to chaotic settlements, conflict over boundaries, and disruption of planned development projects.
Minister Nguluvhe said the Government remains committed to protecting communal land and ensuring orderly settlement.
“Let it be clear. If you want land in communal areas, go through the proper channels. Work with your village head, headman, chief and the RDC. Bypassing that process and paying bribes to individuals will not give you legal ownership,” he said.
The minister urged the local Rural District Development Committee, RDDC, to restore order at the proposed airport site.
“We cannot have people settling in a project area that is strategic for the development of the district and province. Order must be restored immediately,” he said.
Beitbridge Rural District Council Chairman, Cllr Oscar Chiromo, said the RDC was already educating Ward Development Committees (WADCOs), including traditional leaders, on governance, community development and settlement procedures to address the growing concern.
“As a council, we are taking this seriously. We are running awareness programmes to ensure that people understand that land allocation in communal areas follows a legal process through the Rural District Council and traditional leadership structures working together,” said Cllr Chiromo.
Acting Headman Tshinoni of Beitbridge East said traditional leaders who are custodians of the land must protect it, not sell it.
“We will deal ruthlessly with all those caught selling communal land. My plea to the people is to follow proper procedures. Do not risk losing your property and money by buying land illegally,” he warned.
The illegal sales have also affected Government projects. In the Makavhane area, where the Government intends to construct an airport, villagers said the rate at which land was being illegally sold by some traditional leaders was worrisome.
Already some people have settled illegally in the area earmarked for the airport. When the airport site was identified, the Government earmarked 47 homesteads for relocation to pave the way for the development.
However, officials say some traditional leaders are accused of illegally selling and parcelling out land measuring 2.5km in width and 5km in length within and around the project area.
District Development Coordinator for Beitbridge, Miss Sikhangezile Mafu, said recently during a tour of the airport site that the Government was working with senior traditional leaders to halt illegal settlements.
“We have been working with senior traditional leaders in that area to restore order in terms of halting illegal settlement, and we are very hopeful to arrive at a solution soon,” said the DDC.
She said the illegal settlers would be engaged and those who acquired land outside the law would be removed to allow the project to proceed.
Community members welcomed the Government’s stance, saying illegal land sales were fuelling conflict, undermining service delivery and scaring away investors.
They expressed hope that with the verification team on the ground and the RDC intensifying education, the Government will be able to restore order before things get out of hand.
