TWO villagers from Shurugwi have been convicted and fined for illegally allocating themselves State land designated for grazing in Gwanza South, Shurugwi North Constituency.
The pair, Francis Madungwe and Nomsa Munyimi, were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission following investigations into the unlawful occupation of the land.
According to court proceedings, the accused allegedly subdivided grazing land in 2022 and allocated themselves portions without approval or authority from the then Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry.
Madungwe and Munyimi appeared before the Shurugwi Magistrates' Court on May 29, where they were convicted.
The court sentenced each of the accused to six months in prison. However, the custodial sentences were wholly suspended on the condition each pays a US$400 fine through the clerk of court.