As……..Dr. Abigale Mupambi wins case for war veterans and persons with disabilities against alleged land barons
By Desire Tshuma
HARARE — Farmers at Gilstone Farm in Harare are celebrating after regaining control of their land following a two-year battle against alleged land barons, with the government now moving to enforce the eviction of illegal occupiers.
In a high-level meeting with farmers on Thursday, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Hon. Daniel Garwe gave farm invaders a 7-day ultimatum to vacate Gilston Farm, warning that those who fail to leave will face legal action. The farm, which was legally allocated to 62 war veterans and persons with disabilities, has been overrun by thousands of people after it was allegedly invaded by land baron Christopher Magaya and also land baron Sifelani Mabhiza, who were accused of pegging and selling residential stands to home seekers.
The meeting drew multitudes of farmers and was attended by several Members of Parliament, as well as representatives from the Zimbabwe National Army, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.
Minister Garwe told the gathering that the state would not allow land allocated to vulnerable groups to be seized through violence. He reminded the crowd of the legal position of land in the country.
“Land in Zimbabwe belongs to the President who is the Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa. No one has the right to take it illegally and sell it for personal gain,” Garwe said.
“You have seven days to vacate peacefully. After that, the law will take its course.”
The ultimatum follows a violent escalation last week, when the alleged land barons deployed groups of youths armed with machetes, sjamboks and sticks to evict the rightful farmers. The attack left several women and war veterans injured. The invaders also set fire to livestock grazing land in an effort to force the original beneficiaries off the property.
The farmers’ victory follows sustained legal and advocacy work by human rights defender and political scientist Dr. Abigale Mupambi, who represented the Gilston farmers throughout the dispute.
Dr. Mupambi said the ruling marked a turning point for justice and land allocation in Zimbabwe.
“For two years, these farmers fought to reclaim what was rightfully allocated to them. Today, we have won back Gilston Farm for the war veterans and persons with disabilities it was meant for. No one is above the law, and land barons cannot override government policy and the rights of vulnerable citizens,” she said.
The announcement was met with dancing and ululation as farmers praised Dr. Mupambi for her persistence and thanked Minister Garwe for government intervention.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. John Chiwanza, a war veteran allocated a plot at Gilston Farm, said the outcome had restored hope.
“We have been fighting for two years while strangers sold our land and attacked our families. Today, I thank Minister Garwe for standing with us, and Dr. Mupambi for never giving up on our case. This farm is for 62 farmers, not thousands. We can finally plan for our future,” Chiwanza said.
Gilston Farm was originally designated for 62 farmers, but the number of occupants swelled to over a thousand following the alleged illegal subdivision and sale of stands. The government now expects the farm to return to its intended use as a productive agricultural and resettlement project for war veterans and persons with disabilities.