The evictions are to take place by April, 2024.
The owner of the 1 065,7 hectare farm, Edward Nyanyiwa
Pfugari (Junior) confirmed the development in an interview with The
Mirror and said there is no going back on the evictions.
He said the final decision to carry out the evictions
followed a litany of false promises by Government to compensate him for his
land.
The farm was compulsorily acquired by the Government in
2006, subdivided by the then Minister of Local Government, Public Works and
National Housing Ignatius Chombo and distributed for free among 4,000 civil
servants and other people as Zanu PF faced a threat of defeat at the polls by
the opposition MDC. Eddies Pfugari
Properties contested the compulsory acquisition in the High Court and Supreme
Court and won back his farm.
The company then got an eviction order for the 4,000
illegal settlers from the Supreme Court but Government engaged Pfugari and
offered to pay US$44 million for the property so that the residents would not
be kicked out.
Beneficiaries have up to now been told that the land
belongs to Government and their tenure is secure. This propaganda is worse
particularly now when Zanu PF is contesting a by-election for Zvimba East
Constituency on February 4, 2024. However, a group of residents that tried to
get title deeds for the stands from the Ministry of Local Government was told
the truth that the titles can only be obtained from Pfugari who is the
legitimate owner of the land.
Whitecliff has become a sprawling suburb with some of the
best houses in Harare and evictions will lead to lifetime losses for residents.
Pfugari was represented by Scanlen and Holdings in the
court cases that ran until 2016. The eviction order given by Justice David
Mangota is against the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement and all parties
claiming occupation through him.
“Now therefore, you are required and directed to eject the
said Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement and or all persons claiming
occupation through him, their goods and possession, from and out of occupation
and possession whatsoever of the said premises, and to leave the same to the
end that the said Pfugari Properties may peacefully enter into and possess the
same,” reads part of the eviction order.
“We agreed with the Government in 2019 for a settlement of
US$44 million so that it takes the farm and secure the tenure of the civil
servants. However, we have been waiting for years for the payment but nothing
is coming. When we put pressure to get the money last year, Government offered
a downpayment of US$21 but turned around and said they could only pay US$2
million which is a slap in the face.
“Our board of directors for Eddies Pfugari Properties
therefore resolved that we immediately evict the illegal settlers and retain
our land and this we will do in the next few weeks. The court order from
Justice Mangota is clear about this and the Sheriff will use Police to effect
the eviction,” said Pfugari.
The Minister of Local Government and Public Works Winston
Chitando could not be reached for comment as his mobile was not reachable.
Meanwhile, residents who realised the quagmire have agreed
to save the situation by forming Whitecliff South Residents Association (WSRA)
and they approached Pfugari Properties with an offer to pay for their stands.
Negotiations are said to have recently started.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF councillor for the area Ephraim
Tendaupenyu Gonzo continues to assure residents that his party will facilitate
title deeds for the stands and there is no reason to worry.
Sources alleged that Gonzo is selling Pfugari land to
desperate home seekers and Zanu PF supporters.
Gonzo could not be reached for comment as his mobile was
not available.
WSRA chairman Maxwel Gwatire confirmed the formation of the
association and said engaging Pfugari is the right and legal thing to do. He
said White Cliff residents will remain squatters without title deeds and
security of tenure as long as they don’t settle the matter with Pfugari.
He said residents can also be evicted anytime.
“We went to the Ministry of Local Government and were told
by various senior officials including Engineer Nhoro in no uncertain terms that
the land belongs to Pfugari and not Government. They told us that we could only
get the title deeds to the stands from Pfugari.
“We have since sent emissaries to Pfugari in a bid to avert
evictions and we understand he is willing to sell the land to us at US$5 per
square metre and those with 300 m stands will pay US$1 500.
“We have been lied to for 19 years that this is
Government land . The problem is that
the issue is being politicised for votes. Politicians lie to residents that the
Government will ultimately give them the stands for free; it’s a lie.
“Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was telling residents recently
that Government will give Pfugari another piece of land somewhere and settle
the matter. This again is a lie,” said Gwatirere
He said that formed association already has 800 members and
on Monday they are meeting Pfugari over the pending evictions and our resolve
to make a private settlement.
“Politicians have been harassing members of the association
and even threatening to beat us up for negotiating with Pfugari. Now the same
politicians are asking for positions in the association. We have told them that
our association is apolitical and we want it to remain neutral,” said
Gwatirere.
Zvimba East CCC MP Oliver Mutasa urged residents to
regularise their stands with Pfugari.
“There are Zanu PF politicians who are against
regularisation of this suburb because they benefit by illegally selling stands
at Pfugari’s farm. They are holding residents at ransom for purposes of getting
votes.
“There are two options for residents; either engage Pfugari
or get evicted. There is no third way,” said Mutasa.Masvingo Mirror
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