Darlington Mutakura’s eyes welled up with tears as he read the official notice from the local council. US$1,500. That’s what they wanted him to pay. A fine for acquiring land through traditional leaders, a practice that had been passed down through generations.
Mutakura had been waiting for almost 20 years to own a home in the Goromonzi district. He had paid his US$13 annual fee to the Rural District Council’s waiting list, but it seemed like a pipe dream. Then, his sister came to the rescue, carving out a portion of land for him. He built a small two-room cottage, finally feeling like he had a place to call home.
But the council had other plans. They deemed Mutakura an “illegal settler” and threatened to demolish his home unless he paid the fine. The uncertainty was suffocating. Would he be able to keep his home? Would he be forced to start over?
As Zimbabwe’s cities expand, traditional land distribution systems are being pushed aside. Families like Mutakura’s are caught in the middle, struggling to secure their homes and livelihoods. The fine was more than just a monetary penalty; it was a threat to their way of life.
Mutakura’s eyes dried, but the pain remained. He thought about his family, his children, and the future they deserved. Would they be able to stay in their home, or would they be forced to flee? The uncertainty was a heavy burden to bear.
As the council’s deadline loomed, Mutakura couldn’t help but wonder: what would happen next? Would he be able to pay the fine, or would he lose everything he had worked for? Only time would tell.
source-newsday
