Tendai Muererwa
Mutare — Government has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal land allocations commonly known as “Sabhuku Deals,” warning that beneficiaries occupying communal land acquired through unlawful processes in Manicaland will be evicted without compensation.
The operation follows a directive issued to all provinces requiring them to submit detailed reports by May 15, 2026 on areas affected by unauthorized land distribution by traditional leaders and village heads. Authorities say investigations revealed that some chiefs, headmen and village leaders have been illegally parcelling out communal land without approval from the State, resulting in chaotic settlements, land disputes and environmental degradation.
Speaking during an all-stakeholders meeting held on Wednesday, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said Government would not tolerate illegal land dealings. He instructed law enforcement agencies and relevant government departments to restore order in land administration across Manicaland’s seven districts.
The meeting was attended by representatives from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC), local authorities and ZANU PF officials. Minister Mugadza warned that all individuals involved in unlawful land transactions, including traditional leaders, middlemen and public officials, would face prosecution. “Beneficiaries of illegal land allocations will be removed from the land without compensation. There is no room for corruption and abuse of communal land,” he said.
He said communal land remains State land administered through rural district councils under the Communal Land Act and stressed that traditional leaders are custodians of the land, not owners with authority to sell it. “Traditional leaders have no legal mandate to sell or permanently allocate communal, State or resettlement land. Any violations will attract disciplinary and legal action,” said Minister Mugadza. Government says illegal settlements have spread rapidly in peri-urban and communal areas, often emerging without approved layouts, roads, water systems, sewer infrastructure, schools or clinics.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) was also directed to enforce the respective laws and prevent settlements in ecologically sensitive zones such as wetlands, riverbanks, forests and mountain areas. Minister Mugadza further cautioned councillors and local authority officials against participating in the regularisation of illegal settlements without proper legal approval.
“No councillor or council official should facilitate illegal settlements outside the law. Those involved will face disciplinary measures and prosecution,” he said. Provincial Director for Local Government Services and Administration in Manicaland, John Misi, said the worst affected districts include Buhera, Mutare and Makoni. According to provincial statistics, 130 villages out of Manicaland’s 3 125 villages have been affected by illegal land allocations.
Buhera has the highest number of affected villages with 44 out of 1 163 villages impacted, followed by Makoni with 26, Mutare with 20, Mutasa with 14, Nyanga with 12, Mutare Rural with eight and Chimanimani with six affected villages. Among the heavily affected areas are Chigodora, Piki, Burma Valley and Village R Mutanda 2 Old Resettlement in Mutare district; Murambinda in Buhera; Nyamazi and Nyarumvurwi in Nyanga; and Kondo, Vheneka, Rimbi, Mabhiza, Musaonerwa, Manzvire and Maunganidze in Chipinge.
In Chimanimani, authorities say illegal settlers have invaded timber plantations, while in Makoni boundary disputes involving traditional leaders have reportedly resulted in the emergence of unofficial headmen. Officials also noted that some settlers were allocated land in unsuitable locations including mountains, wetlands, waterways, grazing lands and river valleys, creating unplanned settlements that threaten the environment and disrupt proper development planning.
Minister Mugadza urged local authorities to immediately enforce master plans and strengthen development control measures under the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act. He directed councils to conduct regular inspections, stop illegal developments and coordinate with the Department of Spatial Planning to ensure all settlements comply with planning regulations.
Government says the crackdown forms part of wider efforts to restore order in communal land administration and curb the growing problem of informal land sales around towns and cities. Authorities maintain that any offer letters or title deeds obtained outside official ministry channels are invalid and expose individuals to eviction and legal consequences.
