Seke — Illegal land sales associated with wetland invasions and the rapid disappearance of grazing areas are steadily eroding the ability of rural communities in Seke to withstand climate shocks.
For generations, communities in Seke relied on communal land systems that balanced settlement, farming, grazing and conservation.
Wetlands, pastures and rivers functioned as natural buffers, storing water during the rainy season, releasing it during dry months, sustaining gardens and livestock and cushioning households against droughts and seasonal hunger.
Families which have lived on this land for decades say they are being pushed out by politically-connected land barons operating through informal networks involving traditional leaders, ward councillors and local authority officials.
And desperation for income has forced some of the legitimate plot holders to subdivide their own land.
Desperate home-seekers, many fleeing overcrowding and unaffordable land prices in Harare, are lured by the promise of cheap plots.
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Land barons raking in millions
This investigation, conducted in collaboration with Information for Development Trust (IDT), reveals a slow-burning climate emergency that is stripping families of livelihoods, food security and long-standing cultural safety nets, particularly for women, older people and smallholder farmers whose livelihoods depend directly on land and water.
In Tichana village, this investigation found that a self-appointed village head illegally sold approximately 70% of the village’s communal land — about 224 hectares out of 320 hectares.
With an acre selling for around US$4 000, it means the named impostor raked in about US$2,7 million, part of which is typically shared with a racket of land dealers operating in the area.
Much of the land sold consisted of grazing areas and land unsuitable for housing.
Despite this, buyers were allowed to settle, build homes and clear vegetation.
All they needed to do was just pay a mandatory US$20 to the village head and get their names entered into the traditional leader’s register of occupants under the guise that they are new villagers allocated the plots.
This investigation established that, separately, the village heads demand from the buyers, an illegal fee called “mbudzi yaSabhuku”, which in the local Shona language translates to “village headman’s token” before their names are entered into the register.
The “token” varies according to the size of the land being sold, but hardly goes below US$500.
No approved land-use plans were produced and no environmental assessments were conducted.
Residents who were interviewed said that pattern was repeated across several wards in Seke.
Scientific confirmation
Academic research confirms the environmental cost.
A February 2025 scientific study, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Wetland Management in the Wake of Climate Change in Mashonaland East Province, notes that wetlands in Seke have declined by approximately 80,93% since 1985 mainly due to climate change.
“Water is a key lifeline and is what gives wetlands an essential character to sustainable livelihoods. The decline is attributable to climate change,” says the study, which was published by the International Journal of Scientific Research and Modern Technology (IJSRMT).
To reverse the climate-related losses, the research notes, traditional leaders have devised several restrictive rules to preserve the wetlands, among them reducing visits to the wetlands, restricting the constriction of structures and barring burning of crop residue.
However, these measures are overwhelmed by the tide of illegal land transfers.
The scale of this loss is significant. Wetlands are among the most effective natural climate buffers in semi-arid regions like Mashonaland East province.
Their destruction removes an essential line of defence against drought, floods and heat stress.
A 2024 investigation conducted by IDT found that illegal land sales accelerated after rumours circulated that Manyame Rural District Council (RDC) planned to urbanise parts of Seke.
Anticipating future development and higher land values, land barons rushed to sell communal land before formal planning frameworks could be enforced.
The rapid transformation of rural Seke to peri-urban settlements is gradually forcing authorities to discuss it at relatively high levels.
According to the 2022 national census, Seke’s population has nearly tripled from 76 923 to 200 478 in two decades.
Several wards recorded growth of more than 200%, intensifying pressure on land and water.
Growing alarm
On October 30, 2025, a high-powered meeting on illegal settlements was convened at the Dema Council grounds.
The meeting brought together Chief Seke, village heads, villagers, officials from Manyame RDC, the district co-ordinating committee chair, war veterans, the Environmental Management Agency (Ema), Zimbabwe National Water Authority, a lands officer, legislators, the Zimbabwe National Army, the President’s Department, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister.
Participants expressed deep concern over the scale of illegal land sales and their impact on livelihoods, particularly through loss of grazing land, wetlands and farming spaces essential for survival.
Addressing the meeting, Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Itayi Ndudzo called for an end to illegal settlements in Seke district.
“People should follow procedure when acquiring land and should not be found doing the wrong thing,” said Ndudzo.
“I appeal to you, the people of Seke, to preserve your precious land. What will happen to the next generation if you sell all your land to other people illegally?”
Despite such warnings, residents say illegal settlements have continued to expand, exposing a gap between political statements and enforcement on the ground.
The impacts of illegal land sales fall hardest on original inhabitants, particularly women, older people, smallholder farmers and youth who depend on farming, livestock rearing and wetland-based livelihoods.
According to the 2024 Manyame RDC master plan, land grab has contributed to dramatic household growth in Seke.
Wards under the jurisdiction of the council recorded household growth of between 200% and 300% largely driven by illegal developments, according to the local authority.
Agriculture anchors the district’s economy, contributing an estimated 65% of local economic activity.
However, the conversion of grazing land and wetlands to settlements is steadily undermining food production and household incomes.
Women in Kandava village described how the loss of wetlands has dismantled livelihoods built over generations.
“Our wetlands used to sustain our farming projects, which are our main source of income,” said Claris Mahachi.
“Before these land grabs, every household used to have a minimum of seven cattle.
“Now it’s a maximum of three or five because we no longer have grazing land.
“Land buyers are now building directly on of these wetlands.”
Shallow pockets, little food
Mahachi said drying water sources had left families unable to produce enough food or pay school fees.
“We can no longer produce enough through our gardens to support our families or pay school fees like we used to 10 years ago.
“If this continues, poverty will worsen in Seke in the next two years.”
Another resident, Lydia Dahwa, linked land loss directly to climate vulnerability.
“Land barons don’t care where their clients get land; they just want cash,” she said.
“Agriculture mainly relies on rainfall. With climate change, we now face erratic rainfall, droughts and heat waves.
“This has led to frequent crop and livestock losses, resulting in widespread food insecurity,” added Dahwa.
Elderly residents say illegal land sales have destroyed not just land, but the traditional systems that once helped communities to survive environmental stress.
“Thirty years ago, before disorderly settling, we had wetlands that helped us even during droughts,” said Marian, who requested a pseudonym for fear of victimisation.
“Now, with climate change, our capacity to adapt is limited because we lack financial resources, access to modern technology like irrigation systems and adequate extension services.”
Another resident, Gladys Musakwa, said settlers were building on natural springs known locally as zvisipiti and matoro, while cutting down indigenous trees critical for water conservation.
“These illegal land sales are worsening climate change impacts,” she said.
“Water has become scarce, poverty is rising and even those causing this destruction will face the consequences.”
For another villager who identified herself as Marinde, the loss is both economic and cultural.
“I used to have a herd of 50 cattle. Now I am left with 15,” she said.
“The loss is not only environmental; it is cultural. Our way of life has been altered.”
Mai Sithole from Tichana village pointed to soil conditions that make wetland protection even more critical.
“Seventy percent of our district has soils that require frequent watering or good water conservation,” she said.
“That is why wetlands and water buffers are important. Many villagers are abandoning traditional farming for gold panning or migrating to cities or South Africa, leading to loss of human capital,” added Sithole.
Struggling to adapt
Faced with shrinking wetlands, drying water sources and reduced grazing land, some families are attempting to adapt.
Field observations show a growing shift towards broiler chicken farming, brick moulding, borehole-fed horticulture and other non-traditional income sources.
However, council data indicates that indigenous chicken numbers had declined from 156 365 to 108 696 by 2021, partly due to changes in farming systems and reduced feed availability caused by land pressure.
Residents say these alternatives offer short-term relief, but are not sustainable as population density increases and pressure on water infrastructure grows.
Water scarcity has tended to disproportionately affect women and girls, reinforcing existing gender inequalities.
Women are primarily responsible for water collection, food production and care work.
As water sources dry up, they spend more time searching for the precious liquid, affecting education, income generation and menstrual hygiene management.
Men and boys responsible for herding livestock are also affected, as animals struggle to access clean water, increasing household vulnerability.
Climate change specialist Jeremiah Mushosho warned that the destruction of wetlands and communal lands undermined local adaptation to climate change.
“Wetlands store water during rains and release it during dry seasons,” he said, adding: “They regulate soil moisture, protect soil fertility and prevent erosion. Without them, communities have no natural defence against drought, floods and heat.”
Mushosho argued that land-use planning must prioritise ecological zones, not just settlement needs.
“Unplanned densification creates heat islands, reduces soil permeability and increases flooding risk.”
He also called for stricter enforcement of environmental laws, including mandatory environmental impact assessments before development on wetlands or grazing land.
Environmental laws such as the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] require environmental impact assessments before land-use changes, especially involving wetlands.
Weak enforcement
However, enforcement remains weak.
In an interview, Ema education and publicity manager Amkela Sidange said awareness programmes were ongoing.
“Through community talk shows, school programmes, environmental commemorations and inspections, some culprits have been fined for illegal sand abstraction,” she said.
Yet the 2024 Manyame RDC master plan acknowledges that unplanned urban expansion is causing environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, and that existing interventions have been ineffective.
Attempts to obtain comment from Manyame RDC were unsuccessful.
Council chairperson Ian Manyere referred inquiries to the chief executive officer, Farirai Guta, who in turn directed them to the district planner, Cosmas Murepa, who declined to comment, saying he lacked authorisation.
At a recent public meeting attended by this publication, Chief Seke warned village heads against illegal land sales, while village head Phineas Tichana acknowledged leadership failure.
“Some leaders became greedy and did the opposite,” he said.
“Now the whole community is suffering.”
Local Government and Public Works ministry spokesperson Gabriel Masvora confirmed that illegal settlements had become widespread and warned that land baronism is a criminal offence.
“People must not buy land from land barons,” he said.
“Those found on the wrong side of the law will be arrested and prosecuted.”
Masvora acknowledged wetland invasions and said addressing land baronism requires a holistic approach involving members of the community.