Sabhuku Deals Under Scrutiny In Manicaland

Authorities in Manicaland Province have vowed to clamp down on perpetrators and beneficiaries of unplanned illegal settlements, widely known as sabhuku deals.

In recent years, some traditional leaders have come under scrutiny for accepting payments to illegally parcel out land in their jurisdictions.

Under the Communal Lands Act, traditional leaders are expressly prohibited from selling communal land or taking bribes, with land allocation required to follow lawful and transparent processes.

In an interview with The Manica Post this week, Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Abbiot Maronge, confirmed that sabhuku deals have been observed in several parts of the province.

“Indeed, the information at hand shows that we are facing the challenge of these so-called Sabhuku deals, or what we would term unplanned illegal settlements,” said Maronge.

“The issue is affecting areas around rapidly growing business centres, both in communal and resettlement zones.

“We have fast-expanding urban points such as Murambinda, Birchenough Bridge, Chitakatira, DC Mutasa, Watsomba, Ruwangwe, Nhedziwa, and Chimanimani.

“All these growth points have seen irregular settlements mushrooming around them.

“In addition, busy highways are attracting illegal settlers, while some resettlement areas have been compromised, with grazing lands being encroached upon. Yes, the problem is real and widespread.”

According to Maronge, the proliferation of unplanned illegal settlements is creating serious problems for local authorities implementing their master plans.

“So we are going to meet with our councils, District Development Coordinators (DDCs), and other agencies to discuss how best we can curtail and eliminate the illegal settlements that are mushrooming,” he said.

“Whoever is fuelling or participating in their creation must know that the law will be invoked to sanction those individuals.

“We will not stand by while individuals act contrary to the dictates of our laws and policies.

“This is the challenge we face in the province, and we are determined to deal with it accordingly.”