The Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Robert Mugabe’s permission has stormed into Masvingo’s Charumbira ancestral lands to displace more than 2,000 villagers against their will.
The army says they are setting up a Chinese cement making company known as Zhing Zhong following limestone discoveries in the area.
But government does not have a relocation plan for the poor villagers so the people are to be dropped into the jungle, an official report reveals. The setting up of the cement plant means that the Government will have to look for more land for resettlement as Tokwe-Mukosi victims presently settled at Chingwizi in Mwenezi are scheduled to be moved again to about seven identified farms in Chiredzi and Mwenezi.
More uncertainty
There has been a lot of uncertainty in the whole development. Earlier in the year government admitted the Chinese company was shady and unknown.
Back then government also said only 16 people would be displaced. But the figure has since been revised up to 2000. Villagers have thus protested as some added vowing to resist everything as the things are not clear and government has changed facts on what exactly they are out to do.
Over 600 families in Charumbira communal lands in Masvingo have demanded full compensation and alternative land for resettlement before agreeing to pave way for a new multi-million-dollar cement manufacturing project earmarked for the area.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces entered into a joint venture with an unknown Chinese firm to establish Zimbabwe Zhing Zhong Cement Company that plans to open a cement plant in Charumbira area.
This follows the discovery of rich limestone deposits in the area last year. The company has already obtained an operating licence from the Masvingo Rural District Council.
6 Replies to “Army Storms Into Masvingo, Pushes 2000 Villagers Away”
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How can the government fail to find a place for these people when the Minister of Lands is busy giving Dr Amai more land???
How can the government fail to find a place for these people when the Minister of Lands is busy giving Dr Amai more land???
How can the government fail to find a place for these people when the Minister of Lands is busy giving Dr Amai more land???
We can say what happened at Chingwizi was due to natural disaster.In this case, the governemtnhas to plan relocation and costs agreed between the evicted and the Chinese company in partnership with the government.Ionically , this has happened in the President of Chiefs council Fortune Charumbira.He sings the praise of ZANU so foolishly that he forgets the role of being chief.Its crystal clear that ZANU will never feel for the villagers.A home that has a history dating over 120 years, and you are flashed out like gabbage.Why so heartless? The people of Charumbira must form a committee and approach the courts .They must seek engagement and be given realocation costs, land and compensation.Moreover, relocation must move people to a better place.Not to discard people simply for someone else’s economic gain.To Fortune Charumbira, this is ZANU.You sing for it, and tomorrow it asks you to compose a song for your funeral
We can say what happened at Chingwizi was due to natural disaster.In this case, the governemtnhas to plan relocation and costs agreed between the evicted and the Chinese company in partnership with the government.Ionically , this has happened in the President of Chiefs council Fortune Charumbira.He sings the praise of ZANU so foolishly that he forgets the role of being chief.Its crystal clear that ZANU will never feel for the villagers.A home that has a history dating over 120 years, and you are flashed out like gabbage.Why so heartless? The people of Charumbira must form a committee and approach the courts .They must seek engagement and be given realocation costs, land and compensation.Moreover, relocation must move people to a better place.Not to discard people simply for someone else’s economic gain.To Fortune Charumbira, this is ZANU.You sing for it, and tomorrow it asks you to compose a song for your funeral
We can say what happened at Chingwizi was due to natural disaster.In this case, the governemtnhas to plan relocation and costs agreed between the evicted and the Chinese company in partnership with the government.Ionically , this has happened in the President of Chiefs council Fortune Charumbira.He sings the praise of ZANU so foolishly that he forgets the role of being chief.Its crystal clear that ZANU will never feel for the villagers.A home that has a history dating over 120 years, and you are flashed out like gabbage.Why so heartless? The people of Charumbira must form a committee and approach the courts .They must seek engagement and be given realocation costs, land and compensation.Moreover, relocation must move people to a better place.Not to discard people simply for someone else’s economic gain.To Fortune Charumbira, this is ZANU.You sing for it, and tomorrow it asks you to compose a song for your funeral