Government gets tough on illegal settlers

Government will arrest and prosecute individuals illegally settling themselves on agricultural land as such actions are detrimental to the country’s drive to achieve food and nutrition security.

Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, said this in a statement yesterday as he condemned the increasing number of illegal settlers on agricultural land across the country.

Minister Masuka said it is only his Ministry that issues tenure documents on agricultural land as it administers relevant Acts to do with land.

Last week three people were arrested on allegations of orchestrating an unsuccessful invasion of a horticulture farm in Umvutsha in Umguza District on the outskirts of Bulawayo.

Dr Masuka said it was a criminal offence in terms of the Zimbabwe Land Commission Act [Chapter 20:29] and the Gazetted Lands (Consequential Provisions) Act [Chapter 20:28], for anyone to occupy state land without lawful authority in the form of a permit, an offer letter or a lease.

“The full wrath of the law will be applied on individuals who decide to allocate themselves land. We want to make it very clear that those found occupying State land without authority will be prosecuted. The nation is being advised that agricultural land is not for sale. Don’t pay and do not allow anyone to charge you to access agricultural land,” said Minister Masuka.

He urged vigilant Zimbabweans to report any such unscrupulous activities to the nearest police or write to [email protected] and cell phone number 0772 169 957.

Minister Masuka said those in need of land must submit their applications to the district and provincial lands offices where applicants will be advised of their waiting list numbers.

“Applicants should use these numbers to track progress with their applications. War Veterans have a 20 percent quota and have a separate application register. The youth have a 20 percent quota and a separate waiting list as well,” said Dr Masuka.

He said land applicants that are recommended for land allocation should wait to get tenure documents before occupying recommended pieces of land.

Dr Masuka said the Government will not regularise those who settle themselves on State land without the relevant tenure documents.

He said ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in their capacity as chairpersons of provincial land committees, should activate the necessary structures to deter and evict any illegal settlers.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo has also condemned the illegal invasion of State land saying the perpetrators must be punished.

“The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development is responsible for settling people. Dr Anxious Masuka is the only one who signs offer letters,” said Moyo.

He said fast-track land reform programme was completed a long time ago and as such the whites on farms are entitled to be there.

Minister Moyo commended the police for the arrest of Umvutsha suspects saying criminals should be brought to book and stop abusing the name of the ruling Zanu-PF party in their attempt to commit crimes.

“We have engaged the security agents to arrest all those who parcel out land illegally. There are criminals who are not sent by any office and they should not lie that they are doing it on behalf of Zanu-PF,” said Cde Moyo.

He said the ruling party was not involved in any land grabbing as the fast-track land reform was done in the early 2000s and is now over.