No Regularisation For Illegal Settlers As Government Declares War On ‘Sabhuku Deals’

By Staff Reporter
No Regularisation For Illegal Settlers As Government Declares War On ‘Sabhuku Deals’
A residential land dispute at Sadza Growth Point has exposed the scale of illegal settlements, with more than 200 people occupying space intended for just 39 beneficiaries.

The situation has prompted a fresh warning from the Government against informal land allocations and unauthorised settlements.

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe visited Chikomba District on Friday as authorities intensified efforts to bring land administration under control.

The Sadza situation was among the issues raised during his visit.

Garwe made it clear that the Government would not regularise the occupation.

He said the people who had moved onto the stands unlawfully would have to leave.

According to the minister, only 39 people were supposed to receive the stands through the proper allocation process.

Instead, the number of occupants had risen above 200.

Also Read: Minister Declares War On Sabhuku Deals: ‘No Village Head Can Sell State Land’

Government Rejects Informal Land Arrangements
The developments have also put the spotlight on informal land transactions commonly known as “Sabhuku deals”.

These arrangements have become a growing concern for authorities, particularly where land is allocated outside established council and Government procedures.

Garwe warned village heads against becoming involved in such transactions.

He said traditional leaders who participate in illegal land allocations could lose their positions.

The minister said the Government had the power to replace village heads involved in unlawful land deals.

He also reminded traditional leaders that their authority must be exercised within the country’s constitutional and legal framework.

Wetlands And Grazing Areas Also Under Threat
The dispute at Sadza is part of a wider concern over where people are establishing settlements.

Traditional leaders told Garwe that illegal occupation was also affecting environmentally and socially important areas.

Chief Neshangwe said people should not be allowed to establish homes in wetlands or grazing areas.

The chiefs said cooperation with councils was necessary to prevent land from being occupied without proper planning.

Their position signals growing support among traditional leaders for tighter controls over informal allocations.

Several village heads also backed the Government’s position, with Sabhuku Makuvaza calling for people behind illegal land transactions to face arrest.

Sabhuku Munondo supported the removal of people who had occupied land unlawfully.

Gilstone Cited As Example Of Government’s Approach
Garwe pointed to Gilstone as an example of what authorities want to achieve in areas affected by illegal settlements.

More than 5 000 illegal settlers were removed from the area, allowing authorities to proceed with planned development.

The minister said Sadza and other growth points should follow a similar path towards orderly development rather than allowing settlements to expand without approval.

He also directed councils to address informal trading by creating designated vending areas.

The call extends beyond residential land, with the Government seeking to prevent vendors from operating in undesignated spaces.