Manicaland vows clampdown on illegal “sabhuku deals” land settlements

Manicaland vows clampdown on illegal “sabhuku deals” land settlements

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Authorities in Manicaland say they will move to stop and sanction people involved in unplanned illegal settlements, commonly referred to as “sabhuku deals”, amid concerns that some traditional leaders are accepting payments to unlawfully parcel out land.

The warning was issued this week by the Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Abbiot Maronge, in remarks published by The Manica Post. Maronge said the province was dealing with what he described as a growing problem of irregular settlements in both communal and resettlement areas.

Under the Communal Lands Act, traditional leaders are prohibited from selling communal land or accepting bribes, and land allocation is expected to follow lawful and transparent processes.

“Indeed, the information at hand shows that we are facing the challenge of these so-called Sabhuku deals, or what we would term unplanned illegal settlements,” Maronge said.

He said the issue is being recorded around fast-growing business centres and growth points, naming Murambinda, Birchenough Bridge, Chitakatira, DC Mutasa, Watsomba, Ruwangwe, Nhedziwa and Chimanimani as among the affected areas.

Marongwe said busy highways were also attracting illegal settlers, while some resettlement areas were being “compromised”, with grazing land reportedly being encroached upon.

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Maronge said the spread of unplanned settlements was creating challenges for local authorities attempting to implement master plans and manage service provision.

“So we are going to meet with our councils, District Development Coordinators (DDCs), and other agencies to discuss how best we can curtail and eliminate the illegal settlements that are mushrooming,” he said.

He added that those driving or benefiting from the illegal land allocations should expect action to be taken.

“Whoever is fuelling or participating in their creation must know that the law will be invoked to sanction those individuals,” Maronge said. “We will not stand by while individuals act contrary to the dictates of our laws and policies.

“This is the challenge we face in the province, and we are determined to deal with it accordingly.”

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