Government has declared an all-out war on illegal land barons and traditional leaders involved in fraudulent land sales, with the Minister of Local Government and Public Works issuing a final warning that offenders will face the full wrath of the law.
In a hard-hitting statement, Minister Hon.Daniel Garwe announced that President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has personally directed an immediate end to criminality and corruption in land administration, with enforcement teams already deployed nationwide to dismantle syndicates.
“The era of lawlessness is over. The abuse of public land, fraudulent land sales and illegal settlements will no longer be tolerated,” said Hon. Garwe.
The crackdown comes as illegal land transactions have spiralled across the country, resulting in haphazard settlements, destroyed infrastructure, environmental degradation and thousands of Zimbabweans being defrauded of their savings.
In a move that signals zero tolerance, Hon. Garwe warned that no individual is above the law, regardless of their status or political connections.
“No individual, regardless of status, position, influence or political affiliation, is beyond the reach of the law.”
The Ministry has activated multi-agency enforcement teams comprising law enforcement agencies, local authorities and the Chiefs Council to identify, investigate and dismantle all criminal networks involved in illegal land allocations.
“The Ministry recognises traditional leadership as a respected constitutional institution entrusted with safeguarding communal land. Any traditional leader who abuses that responsibility through illegal land transactions will face the full consequences of the law,” he said.
Under the new measures, all identified land barons face immediate arrest and prosecution. Headmen and village heads found facilitating illegal sales will be arrested, prosecuted and removed from office upon conviction under the Traditional Leaders Act.
“This statement serves as final notice to every land baron, headman, village head and illegal land dealer that your activities have no place in Zimbabwe,” he warned.
The government is also targeting individuals and entities masquerading as land developers, housing cooperatives or land agents, with investigations intensified and illegal operations set to be dismantled.
The public has been urged to verify land ownership and development authority with relevant local authorities before purchasing, as land acquired through illegal channels offers no legal protection and exposes buyers to financial loss.
“Law enforcement operations have been intensified nationwide and violators will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the laws of the country,” Garwe affirmed, adding that government remains “resolute in restoring order, upholding the rule of law and safeguarding Zimbabwe’s land for present and future generations.”
