Zimbabwe Illegal Settlements Crackdown: Government Bans “Sabhuku Deals” and Unlawful Land Allocations
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe visited Chikomba District on Friday as authorities intensified efforts to bring land administration under control. The Sadza situation, where hundreds unlawfully occupied residential stands, was among the primary issues addressed during his critical visit.
Minister Garwe made it explicitly clear that the Government will not regularise the occupation. Those who have moved onto the stands unlawfully will be required to vacate the premises, emphasizing that state land cannot be sold informally by village heads.
War on Informal Transactions
According to ZBC, these developments have put a sharp spotlight on informal land transactions commonly known as “Sabhuku deals.” These arrangements have become a growing concern for authorities, particularly where land is allocated outside established government protocols.
Garwe warned village heads against becoming involved in such transactions. He reminded traditional leaders that their authority must be exercised strictly within the country’s constitutional and legal framework, and the Government possesses the power to replace those who flout the law.
Protecting Environmental Zones
The dispute at Sadza is part of a wider concern over where people are establishing settlements. Traditional leaders informed Minister Garwe that illegal occupation is actively destroying environmentally and socially important areas.
Chief Neshangwe firmly stated that people should not be allowed to establish homes in wetlands or grazing areas. The chiefs agreed that cooperation with local councils is absolutely necessary to prevent land from being occupied without proper planning, signaling growing traditional support for tighter controls.
The Gilstone Blueprint
Garwe pointed to Gilstone as a prime example of what authorities want to achieve in areas affected by illegal settlements. In that operation, more than 5,000 illegal settlers were removed, allowing authorities to proceed with planned, lawful development.
Beyond residential land, the Government is seeking to enforce order in commercial spaces as well. The Minister directed councils to aggressively address informal trading by creating designated vending areas and preventing vendors from operating in undesignated spaces.
A Necessary Cleanup
The firm stance taken by the Ministry of Local Government at Sadza Growth Point marks a critical turning point in Zimbabwe's land administration. For too long, "Sabhuku deals" have exploited desperate homeseekers while bypassing essential urban and rural planning protocols, resulting in degraded wetlands and strained local infrastructure.
By refusing to regularise these illegal settlements, the Government is sending an unequivocal message: state land is not for private, informal sale. The backing of traditional leaders like Chief Neshangwe highlights a unified front to restore order, protect the environment, and ensure that future allocations are transparent, lawful, and sustainable.
© Sona Headlines | Local News Desk
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