Govt should not worship capital

HIGH Court judge Justice Joseph Mafusire this week dismissed an application by more than 12 000 villagers in Chilonga challenging government plans to evict them and pave way for a lucerne grass project.

The proposed relocation of Chilonga villagers in Chiredzi district to pave way for a private farming project has attracted a lot of debate given that they are being moved from their ancestral land against their will.

The story has taken a political twist with opposition parties and civic society organisations siding with the villagers and Zanu PF pushing for the evictions.

However, I think the government did a disservice to the whole issue. It created a storm in a tea cup.

There is no doubt that sections 4 and 6 of the Communal Lands Act, which have been weaponised to evict the Chilongas villagers is unconstitutional. The Act is a colonial relic; it borders on racism as it regards Africans as second-class citizens who do not deserve to own land.

The people of Chilonga ought to be consulted and according to the Constitution; they do have a right to live in their ancestral land. What is so special about this piece of land that it warrants the eviction of over 12 000 people?

Unless the government consults stakeholders in such projects, it is bound to face resistance, just like what happened in Chisumbanje, Uzumba, Domboshava and Manhize in Chivhu.

Unilateralism is the new dispensation's biggest undoing.

The government should explain to Zimbabwe why a private farming project is being deemed of national importance.

These are consequences of worshiping capital.