THE tranquil landscapes of rural Zimbabwe have long been a sanctuary for farming communities, but a new threat looms large.
Land barons, once confined to urban sprawl, are now setting their sights on the countryside, sparking fears of a devastating rural land grab.
The rural idyll of Domboshawa, Bikita, and Gutu has been shattered by the unwelcome arrival of land barons, individuals and syndicates who have made a lucrative business out of illegally seizing land.
These unscrupulous actors, once confined to the chaotic urban expansions of Zimbabwe’s cities, are now casting their predatory gaze upon the countryside, threatening to upend the delicate social and economic fabric of rural communities.
“What we are witnessing is a complete disregard for the rights and livelihoods of our people,” laments Tendai Chirowodza, a prominent rural development expert.
“These land barons operate with impunity, exploiting loopholes and political connections to carve up our agricultural lands, leaving families devastated and our food security in jeopardy.”
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The urban-to-rural land grab is not a new phenomenon in Zimbabwe, but the scale and brazenness of the current incursions have alarmed both villagers and policymakers.
For decades, land barons have capitalised on the country’s chaotic urban expansion, invading open spaces, wetlands and even private properties to parcel out and sell off illegally.
Now, they have set their sights on the hinterlands, often with the backing of corrupt local officials and political elites.
“The pattern is disturbingly familiar,” says Chiedza Marufu, a sociologist.
“These land barons employ the same tactics — forging documents, intimidating residents, and even deploying violence to seize control of the land.
“But the consequences in the rural context are far more severe, as they threaten to undermine the very foundations of our agricultural economy and community life.”
The impact on rural livelihoods has been devastating.
Smallholder farmers, who have for generations tended to the land, now find themselves at the mercy of these unscrupulous land grabbers.
Entire villages have been displaced, their crops and livestock left to ruin, as the barons carve up the countryside to suit their own interests.
“We are not just losing our land, but our entire way of life,” laments Muchaneta Shoko, a farmer from Gutu.
“These are the fields our ancestors have worked for generations, the land that has sustained us and our communities.
“Now, we are being treated as trespassers in our own homes.”
The rural land grab also threatens to exacerbate existing inequalities, as the seizures often target the most vulnerable — women, the elderly, and marginalised communities.
“The loss of land means the loss of economic security, food sovereignty, and even cultural identity for these groups,” explains Fungai Chiposi, a gender and development specialist.
“It’s a devastating blow to the very fabric of our rural societies.”
Experts argue that the rural land grab is not merely a local issue, but one that has far-reaching implications for Zimbabwe’s overall development.
“These land grabs have the potential to undermine our efforts to diversify agricultural production, strengthen local food systems, and empower rural communities,” warns Tawanda Marufu, an environmental economist.
“If left unchecked, they could set back decades of progress in regenerating our rural economies and building resilient, sustainable communities.”
The government’s response to the crisis has been mixed, with some officials acknowledging the gravity of the situation, while others remain beholden to the political and economic interests of the land barons.
“We’ve seen a piecemeal approach, with sporadic crackdowns and promises of action, but the underlying structures that enable these land grabs remain firmly in place,” Chirowodza, the rural development expert, laments.
Yet, there is a glimmer of hope. Across the affected regions, rural communities are banding together, drawing on their collective knowledge and resilience to resist the land barons.
“We will not go down without a fight,” vows Shoko, the Gutu farmer.
“This land is our heritage, our lifeblood, and we will defend it with every ounce of our strength.”
As the battle for Zimbabwe’s rural frontiers rages on, the stakes could not be higher.
The outcome of this struggle will not only determine the fate of individual villages, but the very future of the country’s agricultural sector and the wellbeing of its rural population.Powered by Tiny
The time has come, experts say, for a comprehensive, community-driven approach to land governance that empowers farmers, protects the environment, and safeguards the dreams of generations to come.