Zacc cracks down on illegal land deals

Leonard Ncube and Ashely Phiri, Chronicle Writers

GOVERNMENT workers, including traditional leaders, have been warned against abusing their offices to illegally parcel out State land. Individuals who have settled on unauthorised land, either independently or through bribery, are being urged to vacate the areas. This call was made by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) during engagements with communities in Matabeleland North Province.

Zacc has been conducting a nationwide campaign to educate citizens and office bearers about the dangers of corrupt land parcelling and illegal occupation. On Thursday, the commission met with the Umguza District Community at Hlanganani Centre in Insuza Ward 11. Various Government departments and agencies, including the Zimbabwe Infrastructure Development Agency (Zida), Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Department of Lands, police, Umguza Rural District Council, District Development Co-ordinator’s office, and other stakeholders, participated in the meeting as part of the “Whole of Government” approach.

This was the fourth meeting in Matabeleland North, following similar exercises in Hwange, Lupane, and Bubi districts. Before Matabeleland North, Zacc had visited four other provinces as part of the Second Republic’s response to the increase in illegal settlements on agricultural land and pastures across rural and urban areas.

The Government has ordered those involved in illegal settlements to vacate the areas promptly or face legal consequences. The current exercise aims to educate all citizens before any action is taken. According to the Land Commission Act, it is a criminal offence under the Gazetted Lands (Consequential Provisions) Act to occupy State land without lawful authority, such as a permit, offer letter, or lease.

Traditional leaders and councillors are also prohibited from selling land, and those found guilty will be punished. Numerous calls have been made for illegal settlers to vacate the land, as many have settled on wetlands, grazing areas, protected zones, river banks, and other water bodies, exacerbating land degradation and climate change, according to EMA.

Zida has also raised concerns about the negative impact of illegal settlements on service delivery, as these areas are not budgeted for but eventually demand more attention from the Treasury due to their vulnerability to hazards.

Local authorities have urged citizens to approach their offices through elected councillors for guidance on land acquisition, a process managed by the Land Department in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. The police have stated they are ready to enforce the law when necessary.

Addressing the crowds, Zacc principal research officer Mr Reuben Mutsvairo expressed dismay at public officers engaging in various forms of corruption, including bribery, extortion, sextortion, nepotism, favouritism, and regionalism.

“If you have a relative that needs land and you are a village head, recuse yourself. As Zacc, we are saying a review is coming, and we are here moving as ‘Whole of Government’ saying resist, refuse, and report corruption,” he said.

Mr Mutsvairo said that Zacc is raising awareness for people to correct their mistakes and regularise their situations. Those who ignore these calls will face legal consequences, including arrests. He urged the public to report any suspected corruption in public or private offices to Zacc or the nearest police station.

Villagers reported that corruption is rampant, with many Government officers exploiting the ignorance of the elderly. Dr Munyaradzi Magiga, Zacc public education manager, said the exercise had been successful, judging by the response and attendance. He noted that political leaders, including President Mnangagwa and Provincial Affairs Ministers, have spoken vehemently against corruption.

“This illegal parcelling of State land awareness campaign started in four provinces, and Matabeleland North was the fifth. We also visited four districts, including Umguza today,” he said.

“The thrust is to raise anti-corruption awareness among Government departments, village heads, and the public. We want to conscientise people to stop illegal parcelling of land, and at all points, we were happy about the support and attendance as people opened up and admitted that they occupied land illegally.

So, something needs to be done by local authorities for those people to regularise or go back to where they came from, especially if they settled on grazing land or any State land not designated for human settlement.”

He said the commission is receiving reports, which will be sent to provincial offices for investigation. “We are adopting a whole of Government approach, which is why we brought all agencies and departments so they could hear for themselves and address some concerns. We will see some action soon,” he said.

Headman Tshakalisa Ncube acknowledged the rampant corruption in the community and urged his subjects to desist from breaking the law.