By Staff Reporter
A sense of relief has finally been experienced by the farmers of Gilston following the intervention of law enforcement officials against the land invaders who had forcefully occupied the previously tranquil settlement of Gilston Farmers on the outskirts of Harare, within Seke District.
It has been reported that a small group of individuals, falsely claiming association with the Party, orchestrated and led these aggressive land invasions at Gilston Farm. Despite the efforts of various stakeholders, including the Gilston Farmers Association, to prevent these illegal land seizures, the invaders intensified their hostile activities by employing machete-wielding gangs against lawful landowners while continuing with unauthorized land demarcations during the night.
Numerous unsuspecting individuals seeking homes were misled into believing that these barons had land available for sale, as advertised in social media groups.
This fraudulent activity has been halted following the apprehension and arrest of Zanu PF Branch Chairman, Patrick Nzara, known as “Tsodo,” along with others, including Leonard Kanyoza, Loveness Mashingaidze, Whiskey Amen, Renia Amen, and Bwanali Amen.
“We are relieved that the law is finally taking its course, we have been living in fear of these invaders, but now we can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“Now our children and women can resume free movement because, as things stand, parents were accompanying children to school for fear of these gangsters who thronged our community overnight,” stated a Gilston farmer, who wished to remain anonymous.
The six individuals are facing charges of illegal land invasion and causing significant community disruption, and they have appeared before the Beatrice Magistrate, who has remanded them in custody pending their bail hearing.
While the Gilston case is not the only unresolved issue, there are increasing calls to protect vulnerable communities from the powerful syndicates of land barons who often target innocent farmers, particularly in the urban fringes across the country.
Gilston Farm was officially allocated to beneficiaries of the land reform program of 2000, with the majority of beneficiaries being war veterans of the Second Chimurenga of the late 1970s. It has been confirmed that the beneficiaries possess lawful and valid land permits issued by the Ministry of Lands.