The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
Chief Nyashanu of Buhera is embroiled in a nasty land wrangle with his subjects in six villages, resulting in the razing down of some homesteads some time ago.
The dispute has since spilled into the corridors of the Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council which has appointed a tribunal comprising traditional leaders from outside Manicaland to probe the issue.
ZCC Manicaland provincial chairman, Chief Makumbe, confirmed the development, but could not shed more light saying the matter was still under investigation.
“We are seized with the Nyashanu land disputes and a team is already in place to look into the issue and find a lasting solution. We will only comment after the team has presented its findings,” said Chief Makumbe.
Buhera Central legislator, Cde Mathew Nyashanu, called for an amicable resolution of the land dispute.
“The issue was brought to my attention and I urge all parties to find an amicable solution. Alternative land should be found for those affected by the evictions,” said Cde Nyashanu.
In the past, some villagers lost their valuables after their homesteads were razed down at the alleged instigation of Chief Nyashanu who accuses the villagers of squatting in his area.
The most affected are Va Karambwa, Mhuriyengwe, Dhoropa, Mafuruse, Gotora and Zisengwe villages.
About 75 villagers are currently facing a long winter as they were recently served with eviction notices by the Messenger of Court after a default judgement was issued against them at Murambinda Magistrates’ Court.
The villagers who have sugar bean and wheat at various stages of growth have since sought the intervention of the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyeri.
Speaking over the phone through his wife as he is said to have hearing challenges, Chief Nyashanu said the matter was finalised by the courts.
“Yes, Baba (Chief) has been involved in this land dispute, but as far as we are concerned it was resolved through the courts. Those complaining were issued with eviction orders,” said Mai Nyashanu.
One of the affected villagers, Mr Ephraim Muzerengwa, said the dispute has been raging on since 2002, but no solution is in sight.
“We have been settled in the area for decades and we were shocked when we were served with eviction orders around 2002. This has been an on and off issue since then. In 2014 some homesteads were set on fire in Dhoropa and Mafuruse Villages. Families were left in the open and five innocent lives were lost in the process. The evictions are usually executed in winter and children are the worst affected.
“Although the case was once before the courts where it was ruled that we should engage each other for a solution, nothing concrete has come out of these engagements.
“Recently we were taken aback when the Messenger of Court came armed with an eviction notice after the then Murambinda magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi, issued a default judgement against us. We are communal farmers who are fully utilising the our land to grow various crops.
“Our sugar bean crop is at the maturing stage, while our wheat is at the germination stage. We pray for alternative land if the worst comes to the worst. We have sent a letter to Minister Matsikenyere’s office and we hope she will bring all the feuding parties on a round table,” he said.
Mr Muzerengwa added: “We lost out in the Command Winter Wheat Programme because of this dispute. The Grain Marketing Board officials said they could not supply us with inputs since we were served with eviction notices.”
