Chief Ndanga Launches Physical Land Verification To Curb “Sabhuku Deals”

Chief Ndanga of Zaka District, Masvingo Province, has stepped up physical verification of land ownership across his jurisdiction in a bid to curb the illegal sale of communal land, particularly around Jerera Growth Point, where the practice has persisted for years.

The illegal transactions, commonly known as “Sabhuku Deals”, have been widespread in Chief Ndanga’s area since around 2015. Despite repeated efforts by both the local authority and traditional leaders to stamp out the practice, it has continued.

Chief Ndanga, born Wilson Makono, previously imposed fines on village heads found to be involved, a move that reduced the practice but failed to eliminate it.

He said his team is now conducting physical inspections of every homestead to identify illegal settlers and those responsible for selling communal land.

“To find the real culprits, we have to go there ourselves. We used to rely on annual reports from each village head, but those lists are often filled with names of people connected to the village head. If we use those lists, no one will ever be found as an illegal settler,” said Chief Ndanga.

He said officials were questioning all new homeowners about how they had acquired the land they occupy.

While village heads have traditionally been blamed for facilitating illegal settlements, he said ordinary villagers have increasingly become involved in the illicit trade.

“Besides the village heads, the residents themselves are the major culprits. They are the ones selling pieces of their own land to newcomers,” said Chief Ndanga.

“However, village heads will also be sucked in because no one can start constructing a home without the village head’s knowledge and consent.”

The rush to acquire land around Jerera Growth Point intensified after the local authority carried out a study and mapping exercise for the proposed Jerera expansion project.

The planned expansion is expected to reduce the amount of farmland available to some residents, prompting many to sell portions of their land before the process is completed.

Villages including Musiso, Mateko, Gwanya, Manyimo and Chipezeze have been identified as hotspots for illegal land sales.

Chief Ndanga said that once the physical verification exercise is complete, the findings will be submitted to the local authority, which will determine the appropriate action against those found to have violated the law.

He stressed that only the village assembly has the authority to recommend the settlement of new residents on communal land, and that any allocation made outside the prescribed process is unlawful.

“A village cannot wake up and allow someone to occupy land. The village assembly should deliberate and agree, then recommend to the village head, who will in turn inform the headman,” said the Chief.

“The headman informs the chief, who, in turn, would notify the council. So if that procedure is not followed, then it means it’s illegal.”

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