BY NIZBERT MOYO
About 200 villagers in ward 25, Fox Farm, Matobo district are set to be evicted this week after receiving notice of eviction orders.
Villagers who spoke on condition of anonymity told Southern Eye that they were last week made to sign eviction orders by the Lands Commission to vacate their settlements within seven days of notice.
“There are about 200 villagers; some have stayed here since 2008. We were given the land by the owner of the farm only identified as Emart, with the assistance of some war veterans. The owner wanted us to provide security for his cattle in the farm which were vulnerable to thieves,” the villager said.
“Since we came here, we have been voting for Zanu PF for the Matobo parliamentary seat which was predominantly a Movement for Democratic change (MDC) seat, it now belongs to Zanu PF, they are now dumping us.”
Another villager, Frank Sibanda said he suspects that they are being sacrificed to pave way for other prominent people in that community.
“This is not the first time to fight these eviction orders. Previously, we went as far as Gwanda offices and the High Court in Bulawayo to challenge the eviction orders and we won the case. Now they are at it again. We have invested a lot in this farm, for the authorities to say they want to consider only those who stay in the farm and leave out some of us who are working in Bulawayo is a non-starter,’’ Sibanda said.
Matobo district administrator, Obey Chaputsira on Monday confirmed serving villagers with eviction orders.
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“Yes, they are being evicted, they are illegal settlers. The number is too big; I can only come out with the statistics after we are done with the process. We should be done mid this week,’’ Chaputsira said.
