STAFF REPORTER
MAZOWE- Government departments last week snubbed the official opening ceremony of a school in Katena village, Chiweshe communal lands amid land disputes between the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church members and the local community.
Five families are facing possible evictions while more than 200 households are going to lose both their grazing land and fields to the church, The Midweek Watch has learned from close sources.
In separate interviews with The Midweek Watch, the affected villagers said the official groundbreaking ceremony was snubbed by government officials including traditional leaders last week.
“The event was a total disaster however, the Marange Apostolic Church members continued with the groundbreaking ceremony despite the absence of government officials as per protocol.
‘We are happy with that development because we want justice, how can someone come from the blues and start to construct a school in our area without our approval.
“We are calling on authorities to come to our rescue before our lives are destroyed,” said a villager who prayed for anonymity for fear of being victimised.
He said their ancestors settled in the area, in the early 1900s and they know no other place.
“We approached council several times and the local authority assured us that no such a development will take place because we are constructing yet another school about 800 meters away from the site.
“Council officials came on the ground and resolved that it is impossible to build a school on the land as there is another school close to the Goredema school which is less than 800m from the intended site. We were surprised that in 2025 April the council passed a resolution that Marange church should go ahead with construction. We approached the council but they didn’t respond to us. We had meetings with Marange church but nothing was resolved. Council, DDC and State minister are aware of our case.
“The land which is being taken is our only livelihood, our grazing land for the entire village and it is only land left for us to build our homes
“We cannot allow such a development to happen because it is not a good development to the community. Once the school is constructed, our sources of livelihoods will be gone,” he added.
Another villager said they also engaged the District Development Coordinator (DDC) and the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution to solve the issue.
“We engaged the DDC and the resident minister over the issue because we were shocked that council after assuring us that no such a development will happen, a resolution was passed giving the church the greenlight to construct the school.
“We also tried to engage with the Marange members but nothing was solved. Villagers are camping at the area trying to protect the land,” said another villager.
In an interview, a local traditional leader Taurai Marangwanda confirmed the development and rubbished displacement claims.
“Yes the school is going to be constructed by the members of Marange Apostolic Church, however no one is going to be evicted,” he said.
Mazowe Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Liberty Mufandayedza declined to comment on the issue.
“Sorry, I don’t have a comment on this one,” he said before hanging up.
Mazowe District Development Coordinator (DDC) Shepherd Edward said he was not able to give a comment about the matter.
“Yes we didn’t attend the ceremony but I can refer you to the Minister of State for further details,” he said.
