Land disputes in Chief Ndanga’s area in Zaka have reportedly turned violent, leaving one person hospitalised, two others injured and a village head on the run.
Police are hunting for George Muvavi, the village head of Mukambwe village, who is jointly accused with his brother, Tinashe Muvavi, of attacking two villagers from a neighbouring village and a local teacher on February 14.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Masvingo provincial deputy spokesperson Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu confirmed the incident.
“We are investigating a case of attempted murder and assault which occurred in Zaka on February 14, 2026. Three victims were injured in separate incidents, and the suspects are currently on the run,” said Patinyu.
“One of the victims is admitted at Masvingo Provincial Hospital, while a juvenile sustained an injury to the hand. Investigations are ongoing, and police are appealing to members of the public with information to come forward.”
According to police, the first incident occurred at Chipato shopping centre, where Tinashe allegedly stabbed a 16-year-old boy on the hand.
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Later that evening, around 9pm, the brothers reportedly proceeded to Jerera growth point, where George allegedly stabbed Tatenda Tinarwo in the chest.
Tatenda is currently receiving treatment at Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
On the same day, a teacher at Muchechetere School was allegedly assaulted at Chipato shopping centre and sustained facial injuries after being struck with a bottle.
The violence is believed to be linked to ongoing land disputes between Mukambwe village and neighbouring Tinarwo village.
The Muvavi family has been accused of selling and allocating land allegedly belonging to neighbouring villages, including Tinarwo and Mashanyare.
Recently, the Zaka Magistrates Court issued an order barring Frank Muvavi, Stanford Muvavi, Eunice Muvavi and Alfred Runyadza from selling or allocating land forming part of Tinarwo village.
“The respondents be and are hereby ordered to forthwith desist from selling, allocating and/or settling people on land forming part of Tinarwo Village,” reads part of the order.
“The first to fourth respondents are further ordered to desist from burying their relatives and erecting graves in Tinarwo village without prior consultation with the applicant and without his consent or authorisation. They are also barred from farming on land in Tinarwo Village without Tirivacho’s consent or authorisation.”
However, in a recorded statement submitted to the court, Chief Ndanga said there was no officially demarcated boundary between the villages.
“The two villages do not have a boundary; the inhabitants co-exist but each reporting to the respective village head,” he said.
He added that during a land inspection conducted on January 14 in the presence of police, some of the land now being claimed had not been part of the original dispute.
“Part of the pieces of land indicated by the complainant were not previously indicated as disputed on the initial visit which led to the default judgment,” Chief Ndanga stated.
“The complainant in this case is trying to create a village boundary by annexing other villagers’ pieces of land procedurally, using a court order. The order he obtained is not specifying the particular pieces of land which he was claiming.”
Local community advocacy organisation Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (Cotrad) expressed concern over the escalation of land disputes into violence.
“Land conflicts in rural communities are increasingly becoming a source of tension and violence. We urge traditional leaders and villagers to resolve disputes through lawful and peaceful mechanisms rather than resorting to force,” the organisation said.
Cotrad emphasised that clarity, transparency and community dialogue are critical in preventing further bloodshed.
“The Constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees the right to administrative justice, equality before the law and protection from violence. Land disputes must be handled within the framework of the law, respecting due process and the rights of all parties involved.”
The organisation referenced constitutional provisions on land, noting that Section 72 vests agricultural land in the State, while Section 282 outlines the role of traditional leaders in administering communal land in accordance with the law.
“Traditional leaders have a constitutional duty to act in accordance with the Constitution and not to abuse their positions,” Cotrad noted.
“Any allocation or sale of communal land must comply with national laws and established procedures.”
Police investigations are ongoing, and authorities have appealed for calm as efforts to apprehend the suspects continue.