Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (Cotrad) has expressed deep concerns over the recent land scandal in Tugwi Mukosi where two self-proclaimed traditional are accused of illegally selling land.
Taurai Matukutire and Happious Pikisayi Ward 34 Rupike, under Chief Nyajena in Masvingo are accused of fleecing desperate villagers.
Speaking during a recent Cotrad engagement meeting, the villagers indicated that Matukutire sold plots to 21 individuals, reportedly collecting a total of US$5750 and two cattle, and Pikisayi is accused of receiving US$1 800 from six buyers for similar illegal transactions.
The villagers indicated that the actions of Matukutire and Pikisayi violated the customary laws and betrayed the villagers.
“Leaders are supposed to protect our land not to sell it, violating the laws. Such kind of actions destroy our communities,” bemoaned one villager.
The scandal underscores the ongoing difficulties in reconciling traditional governance with contemporary land management policies, particularly in the Tugwi Mukosi area, which has faced numerous land disputes and grabs due to its strategic agricultural potential.
In response to the allegations, acting Chief Nyajena, Grace Zengeya, has initiated an investigation, and officials from the Masvingo Rural District Council have been notified.
“My office has not received any complaints about that issue, and I do not know anything about it,” said Martin Mubviro, chief executive officer of the Masvingo RDC.
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Chief Nyajena refuted claims that Matukutire and Pikisayi are legitimate village heads, asserting they are merely chairpersons who exploited a chieftainship dispute to elevate their status.
Ray Hove, acting director for Local Government Services in Masvingo province, said they are still investigating the matter.
“We are still conducting investigations over that matter, once we are done we will release a press statement,” said Hove.
Tensions remain high in the community as villagers await action against Matukutire and Pikisayi, who have dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
Cotrad has expressed deep concern over the scandal, emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and effective governance in land management policies.
They reference Section 72 of the Zimbabwe constitution (2013), which guarantees the right to agricultural land and mandates the State to ensure equitable, productive, and sustainable land use and management.
Cotrad has also highlighted the involvement of top officials in ongoing illegal land conflicts, raising further questions about governance and oversight in the region.
Reports indicate that these officials have been complicit in land grabs and questionable land allocations, often prioritizing personal gain over community needs.
This has exacerbated tensions within the Tugwi Mukosi communities, where villagers feel betrayed by both their local leaders and higher authorities.
As the investigation unfolds, community members are calling for systemic reforms to prevent further abuses and ensure that land management practices align with constitutional protections.
Cotrad is demanding accountability from all levels of government, urging authorities to take decisive action against those implicated in the scandal to restore trust within the community.
