The ZIMBABWE Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has launched an investigation into the illegal parceling out of land in Matabeleland North province by Zanu PF politically connected persons.
In February this year, police in Matabeleland North province arrested 155 land barons and illegal settlers in Umguza, Bubi, Lupane and Hwange.
There are reports of villagers in several parts of the region, especially those in resettlement areas, facing eviction.
Traditional leaders have been accused of working with politicians to illegally sell land belonging to the villagers.
Former Ntabazinduna Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni has repeatedly threatened to take legal action against those involved in the parcelling out of land in the area.
According to Zacc, the investigation into the illegal land deals was initially supposed to start on Tuesday, before it was postponed to this week.
Zacc communications manager Simiso Mlevu confirmed that the probe would be conducted this week.
“The programme has been postponed to next week, we will share the exact dates,” said Mlevu last Tuesday.
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The campaign is targeting hotspots of illegal land deals in areas such as Hwange, Lupane, Bubi and Umguza.
Last week, Zacc public education officer Mqele Sibanda wrote to the district development coordinators advising them of the impending probe.
“It is crucial that you mobilise all leadership and representatives from government departments such as the Lands and Local Government ministries, EMA (Environmental Management Agency), Police, local authorities, local NGOs, councillors, chiefs, all headmen, and all villagers for the events,” Sibanda wrote.
“The purpose of the campaign is to educate the citizens on what corruption is, discourage people from settling in illegal areas and enlist the effects of corruption in the land sector.”
In February this year the government launched massive land eviction of citizens accusing people of illegally settling on gazetted land.
Several people were arrested in Masvingo.
They were each sentenced to serve three months in prison, which was wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition that they did not, within that period, commit an offence involving illegally occupying state land.
At least 180 villagers were also arrested in Gwanda and summarily charged with occupying gazetted land without lawful authority.
The villagers were later freed after the intervention of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
