Land dispute erupts over Mutasa’s development plans
Tensions are rising in Rusape as former State Security minister Didymus Mutasa seeks to evict 39 land permit holders from 700 hectare Zingondi farm in Rusape.
Mutasa claims he owns the largest tract of the 700-hectare Zingondi farm through a permit allocated during his time as Lands Minister. However, the plan has run into opposition from 39 other farmers who hold permits for smaller 5-hectare plots on the land.
The farmers accuse Mutasa of trying to illegally evict them so his new company, Brobondo Private Limited, can build a 2000-home suburb with amenities like a hotel and schools. Through the development entity, Mutasa maintains he is simply upgrading the land and intends to provide the plot holders with “good houses.” But the permit holders deny his claim of ownership over their validly permitted areas.
With the backing of the local chief, the farmers insist their land rights should take precedence over Mutasa’s redevelopment goals. Service of preliminary stands has already commenced, raising tensions further. A council document outlines Brobondo’s ambitious plans to transform the land which falls on the boundary of the two local authorities across Rusape Dam and along the Rusape-Wedza Highway.
However, in this dispute people are questioning whether farmland allocated years ago under different political circumstances can now be changed unilaterally into a large residential project over existing residents’ objections. As survey pegs appear and permits are allegedly threatened, resolving this land clash will test if resettlement programs can adapt to new economic visions or require ongoing community consent.
