The villagers have approached the High Court seeking an
order to bar Chiyangwa, a Zanu PF legislator for Zvimba South, from evicting
them.
The residents claim that they are the rightful occupants of
the land. They cited Chiyangwa, the Officer-In-Charge, Chinhoyi Rural Police
Station, the Officer-In-Charge Chinhoyi Criminal Investigations Department and
Lands minister Anxious Masuka as respondents in the application.
John Mabonde, who deposed the affidavit on behalf of the
residents, stated that the attacks started nearly two weeks ago when Chiyangwa
allegedly sent his manager, Tafadzwa Kwaramba, in the company of police
officers to harass villagers.
“On September 24, around 0800hours, the first respondent
(Chiyangwa)’s manager Tafadzwa Kwaramba in the company of police constables
Mazviwanza, Sergeant Asami and others visited our homestead and started taking
people into their truck indiscriminately,” Mabonde said.
He said they moved door-to-door, intimidated people, and
searched and confiscated their cash and valuables, while others were arrested,
taken to Chinhoyi Magistrates Court and charged with contravening section 3 of
the Lands Act. They were released on $2 000 bail each.
Mabonde said the police visited them again on September 27
and evicted them without a court order.
He said in fear, some villagers ran away, while others have
since camped in the mountains.
Mabonde also alleged that during the commotion, some
residents were injured, but they failed to get treatment at clinics or
hospitals because of the requirement to produce police reports.
The villagers want the High Court to declare Chiyangwa and
the police’s action unlawful.
The matter is yet to be heard. Newsday
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