Residents of Lot 14 Spitzkop, on the outskirts of Harare, have appealed to Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe to intervene urgently following fresh demolitions and alleged threats of eviction by private developer Vevhu Resources.
In a letter dated May 14, 2026, addressed to the minister, the Combined Greater Spitzkop Residents Association requested an all-stakeholders meeting to find a permanent solution to the long-running land dispute affecting more than 3 000 residents.
The association said the situation at Lot 14 had become “a state of disaster and disorder,” accusing Vevhu Resources of continuing with evictions despite previous findings by the Uchena Land Commission that residents should not be displaced.
“Our community Lot 14 has become a state of disaster and disorder. Residents are living in fear of evictions by Vevhu Resources,” reads part of the letter signed by executive secretary Davie Kucherera.
The residents also alleged that on May 11 this year, Vevhu Resources illegally demolished people’s homes.
“Last year Vevhu Resources came with machete-wielding gangs and attacked one of the residents,” the letter reads.
The residents’ association pleaded with the government to urgently convene all stakeholders to prevent further conflict and uncertainty.
“Our humble plea is to have a long-lasting solution. The situation in Lot 14 is tarnishing the image of the government and Zanu PF party. We hope and trust that your esteemed office is going to expedite this very important meeting,” the letter reads.
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Office of the President, the commissioner-general of Police, the Ministry of Local Government’s Department of State Land, and the Member of Parliament for Zvimba East Constituency.
The latest developments add to a years-long dispute surrounding ownership and settlement at Lot 14 Spitzkop, where thousands of residents say they invested life savings into residential stands believing the process was lawful.
Investigations by Standard People established that Lot 14 Spitzkop was acquired by the state through Gazette Notice 108 of 2008, which transferred ownership from Drakes and Sons (Pvt) Ltd to the government.
Despite the land being state property, Vevhu Resources allegedly subdivided and sold stands before obtaining official authority to convert the land from agricultural to urban use in 2022.
The Uchena Commission reportedly identified several irregularities linked to the development, including the sale of state land without an approved layout plan and the collection of “intrinsic value” payments from home seekers without authorisation from the Ministry of Local Government.
Residents say many paid the required fees believing they were participating in a legitimate land development process.
“We were told to pay for development, for roads and for services,” said one resident.
Others now fear they could lose both their homes and their investments if evictions continue.
The dispute has left thousands of families living in uncertainty, with residents accusing authorities and private developers of failing to provide clarity on the future of the settlement.
Community leaders are now hoping government intervention will bring an end to the standoff and protect residents from further demolitions and displacement.
Vevhu Resources chief executive officer Antony Dube is yet to respond to questions sent to him by Standard People.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa was recently ordered to release the Uchena Commission report by the High Court following sustained pressure and a successful court application by former legislator Allan Norman Markham.
The High Court ruled that withholding the report violated citizens’ constitutional right to access information, prompting the president to direct its publication through the Government Gazette.
The report, submitted to the president in December 2019 but kept under wraps for years, reportedly exposes widespread illegal land sales by so-called “land barons.”
The illicit activities are believed to have cost the state nearly US$3 billion while contributing to chaotic and unregulated urban settlements across the country.