THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) wants to evict 100
villagers in Wengezi, Manicaland, saying they were illegally resettled 36 years
ago in a military cantonment.
In a letter to the villagers in possession of the Daily
News, 3 Brigade commander, Brigadier General George Chitsva, gave the Rufuka
Village 14B residents until June 30 to leave the area or face eviction.
“You are expected to comply by vacating the cantonment area
by June 30, 2020 or face forceful removal. Please cooperate and comply,” reads
the letter dated May 7, but delivered to the villagers last week.
Chitsva said the
army was allocated the land in 2003. “This letter serves to remind you that you
must vacate from Wengezi Military Training Area by June 30, 2020.
“The area is reserved exclusively for military use as
provided in the Government Gazette No 82 of 2003,” the army general wrote.
But a representative of the villagers, Stephen Choto, said
they were shocked by the army move as they were resettled by the government in
1984.
He said each family was allocated 12-acre plots and they
had even built a primary school in the area.
“We were settled here around 1984 legally and it came as a
shock that the army is now saying the area was gazetted in 2003 and we were
never informed of any such development,” Choto said.
Choto said they were concerned that they would be bullied
off their land and were yet to consult the Lands ministry on the development.
“We just received this from the army and we have not heard
anything from those who settled us here 36 years ago — the ministry of Lands.
“We are hoping to engage them on what really is happening
because as far as we are concerned this is our land and the army has their own
space away from here,” he said.
The army, however, claimed the villagers settled themselves
in the area.
“Take note that you have no right at law to settle yourself
in the gazetted area,” the letter claimed.
“Zimbabwe National Army is set to conduct some military
training in the area and your presence will negatively affect the smooth flow
of military activities.
“Furthermore, you expose yourself and your family to
potential danger from military activities that may be undertaken in the
cantonment from time to time.” Daily News
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