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HARARE, Jul. 29 (NewsDay Live) – The government says it has intensified a nationwide crackdown on land barons and individuals involved in illegal land allocations and sales, warning that those found breaking the law will be arrested and prosecuted.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe condemned the continued illegal occupation, subdivision and sale of State, local authority and communal land, accusing land barons, traditional leaders and other individuals of undermining government authority and the rule of law.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued criminal occupation, subdivision and sale of land by land barons, headmen, village heads and other individuals who are undermining Government authority, the rule of law and orderly human settlements for personal gain,” Garwe said.
He said the illegal occupation, subdivision and sale of land without lawful authority had fuelled the growth of unplanned settlements, damaged public infrastructure, degraded the environment, triggered land disputes and defrauded home seekers.
“The era of lawlessness is over. The abuse of public land, fraudulent land sales and illegal settlements will no longer be tolerated,” Garwe said.
“The ministry will not condone the abuse of public office or the exploitation of citizens by criminal syndicates operating under the guise of land development.”
Garwe said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had directed the government to stamp out criminality, corruption and abuse of public office in the administration of land.
“This directive is being implemented without fear or favour. To that effect, Government has deployed robust enforcement measures to decisively eradicate land barons and all persons facilitating illegal land transactions,” he said.
The minister said no individual, regardless of status, political affiliation or influence, would be exempt from prosecution.
“All identified land barons will be arrested, prosecuted and subjected to the full penalties prescribed by law,” he said.
Garwe warned that village heads found participating in or benefiting from illegal land sales would face arrest, prosecution and, upon conviction, removal from office in terms of the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act.
He said multi-agency enforcement teams comprising law enforcement agencies, local authorities and the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe had been established to identify, investigate and dismantle criminal networks involved in illegal land allocations and settlements.
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