Dozens of families were displaced after the deputy sheriff successfully carried out evictions and demolitions at Cloverdale Farm in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. The 250-hectare property, owned by Glorious Properties, headed by former cabinet minister Petronella Kagonye, had been illegally occupied by ZANU-PF supporters who sold residential stands for $200 each.
The eviction process was marked by chaos and resistance from the invaders, who threw stones and dug trenches to block police vehicles. Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd, and at one point, they temporarily retreated but later regrouped to complete the evictions. The confrontations spilled onto the busy Harare-Mutare highway, affecting motorists and causing traffic disruptions.
Despite the resistance, the deputy sheriff, backed by police, enforced the High Court’s ruling, which declared Glorious Properties the sole lawful owner of the land in June last year. The ringleaders of the invasion have been convicted and are serving prison sentences for illegal occupation. Glorious Properties plans to develop the area into a luxurious gated community called Glorious Brooke, as part of a broader smart city initiative.
The eviction comes after months of failed attempts by authorities to reclaim the land, with 28 people arrested last month for assaulting officers aiding in demolition efforts.
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