Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
PERPETRATORS and beneficiaries of unplanned illegal settlements — widely referred to as Sabhuku deals — across Manicaland Province are living on borrowed time, as authorities have completed data compilation and are now rolling out corrective legal proceedings.
In recent years, some traditional leaders and individuals claiming political connections have drawn attention for receiving payments to illegally parcel out land within their jurisdictions.
Government has intensified efforts to halt these rampant land invasions, warning that communal land is not for sale, and urging villagers to report such activities to the authorities.
Under the Communal Lands Act, traditional leaders are explicitly prohibited from selling communal land or accepting bribes, reinforcing the principle that land allocation must follow lawful and transparent processes.
In an interview this week, Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abbiot Maronge, confirmed that the problem of Sabhuku deals has been observed in several parts of the province.
“Indeed, the information at hand shows that we are facing the challenge of these so called Sabhuku deals, or what we would term unplanned illegal settlements. The issue is affecting areas around rapidly growing business centres, both in communal and resettlement zones.
“We have fast expanding urban points such as Murambinda, Birchenough Bridge, Chitakatira, DC Mutasa, Watsomba, Ruwangwe, Nhedziwa, and Chimanimani. All these growth points have seen irregular settlements mushrooming around them.
“In addition, busy highways are attracting illegal settlers, while some resettlement areas have been compromised, with grazing lands being encroached upon. Yes, the problem is real and widespread,” he said.
Mr Maronge said the mushrooming of unplanned illegal settlements is presenting serious challenges for local authorities as they try to implement their master plans.
“However, I must emphasise that this is not a problem beyond our control. It is within our capacity to address. What we have observed is that these irregular settlements are undermining the efforts of local authorities to establish properly planned developments, as guided by their recently prepared master plans.
“All our councils have master plans designed to steer development across both urban and rural areas. We are now working to ensure these plans are widely publicised within each local authority so that all stakeholders understand what is expected in terms of orderly development,” he said.
Mr Maronge said corrective action is now being undertaken to restore sanity in the province.
“So we are going to meet with our councils, District Development Coordinators (DDCs), and other agencies to discuss how best we can curtail and eliminate the illegal settlements that are mushrooming. Whoever is fuelling or participating in their creation must know that the law will be invoked to sanction those individuals.
“Development in the province must proceed in an orderly manner. It should be structured in a way that benefits communities, promotes economic growth, and ensures people live in safe environments. It must also safeguard the gains of the land reform programme, preventing them from being undermined directly or indirectly.
“We will not stand by while individuals act contrary to the dictates of our laws and policies. This is the challenge we face in the province, and we are determined to deal with it accordingly,” he said.
The Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, commended urban local authorities in the province for standing firm against unplanned and illegal land allocations.
“Let me acknowledge our urban local authorities — Mutare City Council, Chipinge Town Council, and Rusape Town Council — for their efforts in ensuring that no illegal land allocations take place within their jurisdictions, unlike in some other cities and towns elsewhere. These councils have remained on top of the situation in managing both State and council land.
“That is exactly what we want to see replicated in rural local authority areas, because the law is clear. The same legal frameworks apply across the board, and the objectives of establishing orderly settlements are identical for both rural and urban councils. Our urban authorities have indeed distinguished themselves in enforcing land use laws and policies,” he said.
