AT LEAST 100 families at Maganga Estates were on Thursday left in the open after officials from the Lands ministry demolished their homesteads reportedly to pave way for a ‘political bigwig’.
by JAIROS SAUNYAMA
The A1 farmers, who were allocated the land in 2005, slept in the open and braved the stormy weather while at the same time pondering their next move.
One of the victims Francis Chisvino said they were given a verbal notice by the officials who came to demolish their homesteads on Thursday.
“We have nowhere to go after the demolitions and we slept in the open. The rains came and both people and their properties were soaked. We were given a verbal notice seven days ago before they came to demolish our houses.
“They did not finish but they said they would return today to finish off. We asked the reasons for our evictions and the officials said they were acting on orders from a top politician,” he said.
Maganga Estates is in Marondera East constituency and located near the Bernard Mizeki shrine about 25km from Marondera Town. Efforts to get a comment from the Lands ministry provincial offices in Marondera were fruitless yesterday.
However, in a telephone interview, Headman Siyawamwaya, who is among the victims, said the officials who were accompanied by police officers burnt down homesteads and told them to go to the main road and move to their original homes.
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“They burnt down houses, used picks to destroy doors and windows. We were told to go to the road and see what we can do. We have nowhere to go. We have tried to engage our local councillor and legislator, but they are ignoring us. It seems there is no one willing to help us,” he said.
The victims were set to engage human rights activists to assist them to seek recourse.
Maganga Estate has been at the centre of attraction with the Vanhohwe Clan of Mashonaland East province claiming the area belonged to their ancestors.
The area is home to majestic Tsindi Ruins that are a sacred feature as well as a tourism attraction place.
