Displaced Mwenezi Villagers Face Renewed Evictions Amid Ongoing Land Disputes

Mwenezi-The Zimbabwean government is currently compensating white farmers who benefitted from land acquired through the controversial 1930 Land Apportionment Act, which displaced countless indigenous people without compensation. However, in stark contrast, the Mwenezi community, displaced by the construction of the Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam in 2013-2014, now faces a fresh wave of evictions under questionable circumstances.
Reports indicate that unknown individuals, escorted by a Lands Officer named Boaz Vurayayi, are orchestrating these evictions. Multiple meetings have been held where villagers were informed of their impending displacement, yet they were denied the opportunity to raise questions or voice concerns. Alarmingly, the land earmarked for irrigation projects meant to benefit Tokwe-Mukorsi victims has already been occupied by unidentified investors, who have commenced activities such as road grading. Villagers have also reported intimidation and threats, with the Member of Parliament for Mwenezi East, Sheilla Chikomo, notably absent and unresponsive to their plight.
One anonymous villager revealed that plots are being demarcated within their fields, signaling imminent displacement. Those already affected report being approached in secret and coerced into signing documents and submitting photocopies of their identity cards. As part of a minimal compensation package, they are being offered 10-by-12-foot iron roofing sheets, two door frames, two window frames, and three bags of cement. The alternative land being proposed has been under dispute since 2013 and has not been formally gazetted by the government, further complicating the issue.
Despite some villagers seeking assistance from human rights organizations, the situation remains dire. During the recent election period, the ruling ZANU PF party allegedly threatened to evict residents if they voted for the opposition. Ironically, these evictions are now proceeding post-election, leaving affected families destitute. Since their initial displacement a decade ago, the government has failed to provide essential infrastructure, such as clinics, for the Tokwe-Mukorsi victims in Ward 13, Mwenezi. In response, villagers have had to construct their own schools, striving to meet ZIMSEC standards for their children’s education.
The evictions are being carried out in an inhumane manner, reminiscent of colonial-era displacements. Families who already lost their homes, livestock, and possessions during the Tokwe-Mukorsi disaster are now being subjected to further losses without adequate compensation. When villagers raised concerns about compensation during recent meetings, they were told to comply with the evictions first and seek redress later, a process that lacks fairness and transparency. Without proper assessment of the affected households’ developments, fair compensation remains unattainable.
Adding to the confusion, there is no clarity regarding the identity of those taking over the land, which had been legally gazetted and allocated to the villagers during the Government of National Unity (GNU) era. The actions of the authorities and the silence surrounding the matter highlight an urgent need for intervention to protect the rights and livelihoods of the Mwenezi people.