Ephraim Mtombeni…MACRAD director
Staff Writer
The Masvingo Centre for Research and Development (MACRAD) has raised concern over reports that hundreds of families in Samba Ranch, Chiredzi West, could face eviction, amid allegations of intimidation and harassment of community activists and grassroots civil society organisations advocating for affected residents.
MACRAD said reports suggested that between 300 and 900 families could be displaced from land they had occupied for decades, describing the situation as “extremely disturbing”.
The organisation said attempts to compel villagers to leave the area without what it described as a transparent, inclusive and meaningful consultation process raised serious concerns over the protection of citizens’ rights and Zimbabwe’s constitutional commitment to accountable and participatory governance.
“Communities facing displacement must be given a genuine opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their lives and livelihoods,” MACRAD said.
The organisation also expressed concern over reports that community activists and grassroots civil society actors mobilising affected residents were facing intimidation and pressure.
“ The harassment or persecution of citizens simply for peacefully defending their land, livelihoods and constitutional rights is unacceptable,” MACRAD said.
MACRAD warned that the Samba Ranch situation should not become another case where communities are treated as obstacles to commercial interests rather than as rights-bearing citizens.
The organisation said the reported existence of Certificates of Occupation held by some residents further highlighted the need for authorities to clarify the legal status of the affected families and the land through a transparent and lawful process.
“MACRAD rejects any approach in which communities are intimidated into silence while decisions concerning their homes, land and livelihoods are made behind closed doors,” the organisation said.
It added that grassroots civil society organisations and community-based activists had an important role to play in documenting alleged rights violations, facilitating community participation and holding public authorities accountable.
MACRAD called on government authorities, law-enforcement agencies and local administrative structures to protect community activists from intimidation and ensure that no one is victimised for peacefully participating in public affairs.
The organisation further called for an immediate suspension of any eviction process at Samba Ranch until a comprehensive and independent assessment of the legal status and occupation history of the land has been conducted.
MACRAD said such a process should be open and inclusive, allowing every affected person an opportunity to be heard.
The organisation also said it was continuing to monitor the human rights situation in Chiredzi, expressing concern over the safety of activists mobilising communities against reported evictions of the Shangaan community in Chilonga.