The Zimbabwean government has completed an investigation into the eviction of close to 100 villagers from Marume Village in Buhera, following a long-running boundary dispute.
The inquiry was led by Buhera District Development Coordinator (DDC) Freeman Mavhiza, who was tasked with examining the circumstances that led Sabhuku Marume to seek a High Court order to remove Sabhuku Ngundu and his followers from the contested land.
The dispute dates back to 2015, when the High Court granted Marume rights to the land through a default judgment. Despite the ruling, the eviction order was only enforced late last year, when Marume reportedly hired the Messenger of Court to carry out the removals.
The evictions took place during the rainy season, leaving many families displaced. Several of the affected villagers belong to an apostolic religious sect and are currently staying in abandoned buildings that authorities say are unsafe.
As a result of the eviction, many families were forced to leave their crops in the fields, sell livestock to buy food, and pull their children out of school. Authorities have classified the affected residents as internally displaced persons.
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, said the government is treating the situation as urgent.
According to Mugadza, the dispute centers on a wetland valley along the boundary between the two villages, which contains indigenous fruit trees and also serves as a route to the local dip tank.
He explained that the area had previously been unoccupied before one of the village heads settled there, with more people later joining him from the Ngundu area and other locations.
Marume later claimed the settlers were occupying land within his jurisdiction, prompting him to pursue legal action that resulted in the 2015 High Court ruling.
However, Mugadza noted that the order was only enforced about a decade later, creating a humanitarian situation for the displaced families.
He said the affected villagers are currently being housed in unused bars and community halls, which he personally visited.
The minister added that the government is providing food assistance and other essential support while authorities determine a long-term solution.
A meeting involving officials from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, led by Dr. Anxious Masuka, was held in Murambinda last weekend to discuss the issue.
During the meeting, the Buhera DDC and the district’s Joint Operations Command were tasked with preparing a detailed report on the situation.
Mugadza said the report has already been compiled and will now be submitted to the national government for further deliberation.
While he declined to reveal its contents, he indicated that several possible solutions are being considered to ensure the displaced villagers are allocated alternative land for resettlement.
Authorities say the situation remains under review as the government works toward a resolution.
