HARARE – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has revealed that as of 12th February 2024, it had arrested a total of 3 775 suspected land barons, with 985 convictions being made by the courts, while 3 360 cases are pending trial.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the arrests were made under the ongoing countrywide operation termed, “No To Land Barons and Illegal Settlements”.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police appreciates and commend the public for the cooperation and information received in the ongoing Government’s country wide operation, No To Land Barons and Illegal Settlements on Land in either rural or urban setups.
“The operation started in January 2024 and is progressing well. As of 12th February 2024, a total of 3 775 suspects have been arrested, with 985 convictions being made by the courts, while 3 360 cases are pending trial.
“Notable arrests have been made in Masvingo, where 28 suspects were accounted for in Tokwane-Ngundu Resettlement. The suspects had illegally settled on the grazing lands without the authority of the Ministry of Land, Agricultural, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development,” Nyathi said.
The law enforcement agents further stated that, in Karoi, Mashonaland West Province, 26 suspects who were occupying grazing lands and distributing gazetted land to their relatives at Lazy Five Farm were arrested.
“Investigations carried out unearthed that the suspects were paying US$15.00 or maize equivalent to the plot holders.
“In Matabeleland South Province, 123 suspects were arrested at Enyandeni Resettlement Area, Gwanda. The suspects settled themselves on the gazetted land without lawful authority.
“In Matebeleland North Province, Thulani Nzima aged (53) was arrested for illegal allocation of land in which he allocated six residential stands to desperate home seekers for payment in Siganda, Mbembeswana 1 Village, Nyamandlovu.
“Investigations carried out unearthed that the beneficiaries paid US$300.00 and ZAR4 000.00 to the suspect,” Nyathi added.
The police assured the nation that it would continue to issue regular updates on the operation to the public.
The public has been urged to verify the status of any land before being settled or made to pay for the purported allocation or development.
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