Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
A BITTER land feud between two rural neighbours took a dramatic turn last week when Pride Muzamani (35), of Marange, sought the intervention of the courts to ensure his safety and secure his land rights.
Muzamani appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Thandiwe Sibanda, seeking a peace order against his neighbour, Tonderai Chombe (68), whom he accused of persistently trespassing onto his homestead, and cutting down trees on a contested piece of land.
Muzamani pleaded with the court to bar Chombe from trespassing into his property.
“Your worship, we have been walking this road for a long time now. Last time we were at the chief’s court concerning this land dispute,” said Muzamani.
He told the court that the land dispute dates back to his late father’s time.
According to him, the piece of land in question was under his father’s ownership, but before his father passed away, Chombe allegedly began cutting down trees there.
After his father’s death, Muzamani said the conflict escalated.
Chombe allegedly tilled the land for two consecutive farming seasons, ignoring warnings, prompting Muzamani to approach the chief’s court.
“I warned him of his actions before I took the issue to the chief’s court. He does not listen to anyone — not even the chief himself,” testified Muzamani.
Following the chief’s ruling in Muzamani’s favour, Chombe allegedly became increasingly hostile, even going as far as threatening Muzamani with death.
“I now fear for my life. I have been threatened for a long time without taking any action. He passes by my yard talking a lot of rubbish. I fear he may do something to harm me,” said Muzamani.
However, in his defence, Chombe claimed that the land rightfully belongs to him. He told the court that Muzamani’s father barter traded the piece of land 40 years ago with a cow.
He said Muzamani’s father later tried to reverse the deal, and he refused.
“I was given that land by his father in exchange for a cow, and that is the truth.
Muzamani is just trying to rewrite history because his father is no longer here to speak for himself,” said Chombe.
In her judgment, Ms Sibanda granted Muzamani a one-year peace order against Chombe. The court warned Chombe not to interfere with the land or trespass on Muzamani’s property.
Instead, he was advised to appeal to the chief’s court with concrete evidence if he believes he is the rightfully owner of the land.
