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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
A self-proclaimed land baron at Mthwakazi Fox farm, a resettlement area on the outskirts of Bulawayo, is allegedly parcelling out land to desperate land seekers at a cost ranging from $300 to over $1,000.
Jeorasy Dube, who is also known as Jealous, is a simple villager who benefited under the government’s land reform programme.
Villagers said they wanted Dube driven out of their area after he settled “over 700 people in an area meant for 20 families”.
They said the area “invaded” by the new families is meant to be grazing land for their animals.
The villagers said they reported Dube to the police for his illegal land dealings on numerous occasions but he is always let free.
Matobo North ward 25 Councillor, Lucy Hlatshwayo, yesterday said they were puzzled why stern measures were not being taken against Dube.
She said Dube had become a law unto himself as he openly declares to his clients that he was illegally selling land.
“We’ve reported the matter to the police and he has been taken to court but always walks scot free. We don’t know what really transpires in the Courts even after evidence has been brought against him. We hope this issue can be urgently addressed,” she said.
Clr Hlatshwayo said environmental degradation has become a major problem at Fox Farm because of the illegal parcelling of land.
“The farm can only accommodate 20 families but over 700 people have illegally been settled in the area. This has severely affected the environment. The grazing pastures have been allocated people. Veld fires and poaching is rife in the area. We also have a game sanctuary nearby,” she said.
Matobo North legislator, Cde Never Khanye, said he was seized with the matter which was now being handled by Matabeleland South minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Abednico Ncube.
“We referred the matter to the provincial lands committee which is chaired by Minister Ncube. He is the one handling the matter now,” said Cde Khanye.
He said the area was facing a lot of problems caused by self-proclaimed land barons.
Cde Khanye, however, said all land matters would be resolved soon as investigations were being conducted at provincial level.
“We’ve a lot of land problems in our area but we hope to find a lasting solution soon after we brought the issue to our elders. We want transparency and fairness in the distribution of land. Sanity must be restored,” he said.
Matobo District Administrator, Robert Mzezewa, said he heard of the corrupt land dealings at Fox Farm but was still to be officially briefed on the matter.
He said his office would soon hold a meeting to discuss the issue.
“Technically I haven’t been briefed about the matter. I would rather reserve my comments as I haven’t been appraised with the land issue. However, early next week we will hold a meeting to discuss such matters,” said Mzezewa.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland South political commissar, Cde Ephraim Moyo, said all “land barons” must be arrested and be held accountable, once caught.
“As Zanu-PF we’re clear that land is not for sale and those selling it must know that the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” he said.
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has warned land barons that they risk being arrested once caught.
He said the country has continued to witness cases involving these land fraudsters.
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