Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
A LONG-RUNNING land dispute between two neighbours in Zimunya has finally been resolved following a ruling by the Mutare Civil Court — bringing relief to villagers who had endured years of tension arising from the feud.
The dispute involved Bernard Moyo (52) and his neighbour, Tumirai Simango (56), whose disagreement over boundary lines and access paths had persisted for several years.
Moyo had approached the court seeking a protection order and peace order after, he said, repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably had failed.
Appearing before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Thandiwe Sibanda on Monday, Moyo told the court that he had no option, but to seek legal intervention following alleged threats, insults and a physical confrontation involving his neighbour.
“I have lived peacefully on my homestead for more than 20 years. My neighbour has been removing boundary pegs, allowing his cattle to stray into my maize field and threatening my family whenever we raise concerns,” Moyo told the court, adding that the dispute had previously been handled by village heads in Zimunya, but the hostility continued despite their intervention.
Moyo further alleged that at one point the dispute turned violent after Simango, together with his sons, allegedly assaulted him following the replacement of boundary pegs.
In response, Simango denied causing any malicious intentions towards his neighbour, although he conceded that relations between the two families had deteriorated over time.
He maintained that the land in question had been allocated to him by his father many years ago, and accused Moyo of encroaching into his territory.
“These boundaries were given to me by my father when I was still in my 20s. Nothing should change. What I want is clarity and peace. I never intended to cause trouble, but emotions took over,” said Simango.
The court heard that the dispute had caused divisions within the community, with villagers often compelled to take sides.
In one incident last year, police were reportedly called after a confrontation between the two men nearly turned violent, with allegations that threats of harm were made should boundary pegs be moved again.
In her ruling, Mrs Sibanda stressed the importance of resolving land disputes peacefully and urged both parties to respect the rule of law.
“Land disputes among neighbours must not be allowed to degenerate into violence. The court exists to restore peace, not to fuel conflict,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda granted a binding protection order barring both men from harassing each other or interfering with each other’s property.
She declined to issue a peace order, noting that the two were neighbours who should be able to coexist peacefully.
The court also ordered them to respect officially demarcated boundaries and advised to engage the lands office and traditional leadership for any future clarifications.
Speaking after the ruling, Moyo welcomed the decision, saying his only wish was to live peacefully with his neighbour.
“I am relieved. I just want to farm and live in peace,” he said.
