By Flata Kavinga
Zibagwe Rural District Council (ZRDC) Chairperson Chamunogwa Zvishamira has raised concern over the widespread illegal settlement of villagers, saying some traditional leaders are allocating land without following the law, resulting in unplanned settlements and the loss of grazing land.
Speaking during the ZRDC Strategic Plan Workshop held in Kwekwe, Zvishamira said several traditional leaders were acting outside the provisions of the Rural District Councils Act, the Traditional Leaders Act and the Communal Lands Act, which require them to work in coordination with council authorities when parceling out land.
“We once heard reports that there was no longer grazing land,” he said. “But if you look at the Rural District Councils Act, the Traditional Leaders Act or the Communal Lands Act, they clearly state that when traditional leaders are allocating land, they must work hand-in-hand with the council to ensure compliance. The problem is that some of the traditional leaders assumed the role of town planners.”
Zvishamira said the situation had become so rampant that some leaders were issuing land for homesteads and mining activities without council knowledge or consideration of environmental needs.
“As we speak, some of the traditional leaders are busy allocating land without the council’s knowledge,” he said. “Some just allocate land without considering the need for grazing land. If we do not address these problems, we will not have cattle after five years. We have to protect the forests instead of resettling villagers.”
He warned that failure to restore order would worsen land-use conflicts and compromise the district’s long-term planning initiatives.
Zvishamira also expressed concern over the mixing of residential and mining allocations, noting that some homesteads were being established close to mining areas, while others had been converted into business premises without council approval.
“In the district we have seen traditional leaders issuing mining claims and homesteads,” he said. “Why can’t we separate these two? There is disorder in the district.”
In response to the growing challenges, ZRDC has introduced settlement permits, which Zvishamira said are provided for in the law and are meant to curb unplanned occupation of land.
“As a council we have moved in with the issuance of settlement permits which are enshrined in the Act,” he said. “We must make sure people are allocated land in designated areas.”
Zvishamira urged traditional leaders, council officials and communities to work together to restore order and protect land meant for environmental conservation and livestock production.
“We must sit down and plan together,” he said.
The workshop, attended by council officials, government departments and stakeholders, forms part of ZRDC’s efforts to develop a coordinated strategic plan for the district.
