Illegal settlers warned off agricultural land

The government has warned illegal settlers to move off agricultural land and reminded them it was a crime to occupy State land without authority.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka issued the warning in a statement on Wednesday and expressed concern at the increasing number of illegal settlers occupying agricultural State land without permission from the ministry.

“It is a criminal offence, in terms of the Zimbabwe Land Commission Act [Chapter 20:29] and the Gazetted Lands (Consequential Provisions) Act [Chapter 20:28], to occupy state land without lawful authority in the form of a Permit, an Offer Letter or a lease,” he said.

“Land applications should be made to the district and provincial lands offices where applicants should get waiting list allocation numbers.

Applicants should use these numbers to track progress with their applications. War veterans have a 20% quota and have a separate application register. Youth have a 20% quota and a separate waiting list.”

Masuka said people that have been recommended for land allocations should wait to get tenure documents before occupying the recommended pieces of land, adding that only his ministry was authorised to issue out tenure documents on agricultural land.

He said the government will not regularise those that settle themselves on State land without procedurally issued tenure documents, and the full wrath of the law will be applied in cases of illegal settlements with those found occupying State land without authority prosecuted.

He warned the public not to pay or allow anyone to charge them to access agricultural land as it is not for sale and called on them to report such activities to the nearest law enforcement agencies or to the ministry.

“Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, in their capacity as chairpersons of provincial land committees, should activate the necessary structures to deter and evict any illegal settlers,” said Masuka.

New Ziana