The government yesterday threw its weight behind Allied Timbers, which evicted 2 000 suspected Zanu PF supporters last week to rid its timber plantations in Chimanimani of illegal settlers.
Acting provincial administrator Cosmas Chiringa said the government would engage the company to find ways of protecting the forests.
Allied Timbers said it had lost in excess of $200 million following the invasions that saw the settlers indiscriminately cutting down pine trees.
“We don’t allow those invasions because they are illegal,” Chiringa said yesterday.
“In every process of offering land, proper procedures are followed. We condemn those invasions and we are keeping on monitoring the situation.”
He, however, said there were some areas that were claimed by Allied Timbers which were under the jurisdiction of chiefs and there was need for discussions to resolve disputes.
