Even as far back as 2015, Crest Breeders agreed in a deed
of settlement with the then Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement to
transfer the 1 057ha farm.
But now there are eviction orders being issued which state:
“The defendant is in illegal occupation of stand number 60**, Saturday Retreat
Estate, Harare. He has not paid the purchase price of US$4 per square metre,
but he has unlawfully proceeded to erect illegal structures together with those
claiming occupation through him within the plaintiff’s immovable property,
thereby disturbing the plaintiff’s undisturbed peaceful possession.”
Last year, the Administrative Court confirmed the
Government’s acquisition of Harare South Saturday Retreat Farm following a
protracted stand-off that delayed development of the area and gave free reign
to land barons who moved in and started selling plots without authority from
the Government.
Justice Herbert Mandeya, in a disposition handed over on
July 29, endorsed that the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement was the
owner of the farm instead of Crest Breeders International after Crest agreed to
the transfer to the Government.
This confirmed the deed of settlement signed between the
applicant, Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement and respondent Crest
Breeders International in 2015.
“The compulsory acquisition of the immovable property being
the remaining extent of Saturday Retreat Estate situated in the district of
Salisbury measuring 1 057,381 hectares held under deed of transfer 4035/1986 by
the respondent (Crest Breeders) be confirmed,” reads part of the deed of settlement.
“The Government of Zimbabwe shall sign all such documents,
pass all such instruments, give all such instructions and do all things
necessary to give effect to this deed and the court order sought.”
Churu Constituency aspiring legislator Cde Ephraim Fundukwa
yesterday said Crest Breeders could not evict people from land owned by the
State.
“The papers are very clear that the land belongs to the
Government, but for some rogue reasons there are people who are pushing for the
eviction of residents,” he said.
“The area has people who were lawfully given offer letters
so they have a right to stay. The Government must quickly intervene. Land
barons have been a menace in the area, but we say no to land barons.”
Saturday Retreat Consortium leadership composed of members
from the 16 cooperatives, including Ushewekunze, Chevhu, Highfield Canaan and
Tasimuka, hoped the acquisition will lead to speed implementation of
development in the area. Herald
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