Sacred mountain at centre of farming dispute

Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
AN honest and culturally conscious senior citizen from Mutasa recently reported his two sons to the traditional authorities for allegedly invading a sacred mountain to farm on it.
This revelation came to light during a hearing at Chief Mutasa’s community court, where Sabhuku Mukoyi reported Fungai Kamutonho and Blessing Samushonga for defying his directives to cease farming on the unnamed sacred mountain, which houses ancestral graves.
Sabhuku Mukoyi said the duo’s father, Sekuru Samushonga informed him of their transgressions after failing to convince his sons to stop cultivating and cutting down trees in the area.
“Sekuru Samushonga, the father of the two respondents, came to my homestead and reported that his sons were carrying out farming activities on a sacred mountain. He had allocated them land to farm nearby, but was surprised to find them farming on the mountain.
“Sekuru Samushonga’s efforts to stop them were unsuccessful, as they refused to listen. He then reported the matter to me. The mountain is sacred, and every villager is aware of its significance. There are ancient graves there, and it is strictly off-limits.
“Headman Mukoyi was informed, and he instructed me to inspect the mountain.
“I confirmed that the respondents were indeed farming on the prohibited mountain. We have failed to stop them, and have no choice, but to seek a solution from this court,” said the distraught village head.
Fungai Kamutonho denied farming in a prohibited area, claiming Sabhuku Mukoyi was unaware of the boundaries of his land.
“My field is not on the mountain. Sabhuku Mukoyi does not know where my field ends. An inspection team from the headman’s court cleared me of any wrongdoing. I am not the one farming on the mountain,” he said, looking at Samushonga, implying he was the guilty party.
Initially, Blessing Samushonga admitted farming on the mountain, but later claimed he had permission from local traditional leaders.
“We started tilling the land in 2013. I do not want to argue with the elders about whether there are graves or not. Yes, we are farming on top of the mountain. Sabhuku Mukoyi ordered us to stop, and we did not trespass into prohibited areas.”
Samushonga added: “Headman Mukoyi’s delegation showed me the boundary, and I am adhering to that. They gave us permission to farm, but said we must not cut down big trees or enter the caves,” he said.
Chief Mutasa emphasised that sacred mountains must be respected and not defiled by reckless individuals.
He set up a team to inspect the area and determine whether the duo was farming in a prohibited area.
The matter will continue after the findings.
“If you are indeed cooperating with the sabhuku’s directives, why has he brought you before this court? In fact, it is your own father who first reported this issue.
“You are also admitting that you have now reached the top of the mountain. The reason you are here is because you are defying, both your own father and traditional authority.
“Scared mountains are a no go area, and people must respect that. I am setting an investigating team to physically visit the place and have an inspection in-loco. The case will proceed after I receive the team’s findings,” ruled Chief Mutasa.