Saviour Kasukuwere, a former cabinet minister, has urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to exercise caution when handling the eviction of illegal occupants from state-owned agricultural land in both urban and rural areas.
The fresh wave of evictions which is being spearheaded by the government across the country has left many people homeless. Some have since approached the courts to intervene.
The operation has so far led to the arrest of over 3 700 land barons while several illegal settlers were interviewed by the police to facilitate investigations.
The government said the operation is targeting land barons and not aimed at punishing citizens.
“Government’s position has been consistently clear that there has to be an orderly and legal settlement on the land,” read the joint statement issued by Minister of Lands Anxious Masuka, Local Government Minister Winston Chitando, Acting Minister for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ziyambi Ziyambi and National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe.
“However, it has been noted with concern that there are people who are settling themselves illegally on urban land as well as rural agricultural State land and others who are illegally selling the same.”
Kasukuwere warned the Mnangagwa administration against heavy-handed tactics in addressing the issue of illegal land occupation, stressing the need for a balanced approach.
He urged authorities to “handle matters involving the people with care and dignity.”
“The political maturity of the political leadership at the helm is evidently inadequate.. You can’t be indifferent to the suffering and pain of citizens who have been duped by known criminals.
“The statement by the combined team of ministers exposes a very serious lack of political and social intelligence. You will need these people in future Cde’s.
“Handle matters involving the people with care and dignity. At the end, it’s the children who are most exposed. Identify where these people should go, deal with the corrupt elements behind it and don’t make the innocent suffer,” Kasukuwere said.
