Residents of Fox Farm in Matobo North, mostly long-term Zanu PF supporters, have accused the district land office of corruption and irregularities in the allocation of agricultural land, allegations that have deepened tensions in the resettlement area.
The latest development comes after Chief Masuku intervened, confirming that the Matobo District Lands Committee was ordered to regularise the settlement to provide fairness and transparency in the allocation process.
“The meeting went well. We were enforcing a decision made by the lands committee,” Chief Masuku told CITE on Wednesday.
“There were already people living on the farm, but since others also want to be resettled there, the priority is to regularise the current settlers first. This area was an illegal settlement, so we’re now formalising it, making sure those already on the ground are properly allocated land before considering new applicants.”
The chief said the farm had been gazetted, but many settlers had occupied land without proper demarcation, creating confusion and disputes over boundaries.
“Some people took as much as 14 or 20 hectares while others had four or six. We want fairness. Everyone should get equal land. Under the peri-urban system, each person is supposed to receive two to three hectares, and that must apply to everyone so that no one ends up with a bigger plot than others on the same farm,” he said.
Chief Masuku added that the lands committee met with villagers so the decision was applied properly.
“Once the current settlers are properly allocated land, if there’s still space, new people from the waiting list can then be considered,” he said.
“There was already tension in the area, with some people, who say they 101, claiming ownership of the land. When we asked for that list, no one produced the actual list. Our position is that everyone currently there must be allocated land legally and equally.”
However, the villagers accuse the Matobo district land commissioner, Johane Zifunzi, and a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officer named only as Masara, of corruptly allocating portions of Fox Farm to outsiders in exchange for bribes.
They alleged that land originally designated for local smallholder farmers under the A1 model has been sold to people from outside the district, some of whom do not even reside in Matobo.
A visit to the area on Tuesday found angry villagers gathered to block land pegging activities. The residents, who claim to have occupied Fox Farm since 2008, said they were shocked to see strangers arriving and demarcating land without consultation.
Ward 25 Zanu PF branch chairperson, Simion Ngwenya, expressed frustration at being sidelined in a process that should involve local leadership.
“These newcomers were not introduced; we just saw them coming here,” Ngwenya said. “What model are they using to peg land? They didn’t tell us. Are they pegging A1 or A2? They better formalise it so that everyone knows who has two or three hectares. Right now, strangers are coming and making themselves at home like people coming from a bar. It’s painful. As chairperson, what do I tell people when we are sidelined?”
He questioned why the land office had not engaged community leaders, saying it “represents the people but acts in secrecy.”
Ward 25 Zanu PF branch commissar, Joseph Nkomo, said the situation escalated on August 5, 2025 when villagers saw several vehicles arriving with officials pegging land.
“We were surprised to hear that Zifunzi was taking money from people who are not from here,” Nkomo said.
“When we asked what was happening, he told us he was instructed to peg land for 101 people. I asked him who those people were, and he said he would show us the register. I looked for my name but didn’t find it. When I asked what that meant, he said, ‘If your name is not here, you have to go.’ Where are we supposed to go?”
Nkomo said the villagers had alerted Chief Masuku, the resident minister, Albert Nguluvhe, and the Matobo Constituency MP, Edgar Moyo, who temporarily halted the pegging.
“If the process is proper, the district lands committee must sit with the people and explain. We were told there would be a meeting, but instead, we saw land officers returning to start pegging again,” he added.
Ward 25 Zanu PF Women’s League commissar, Morack Ngwenya, said she and others had previously been arrested during earlier land disputes but had won their case in court.
“It’s painful. We came here when we were still strong, now we are old,” she said.
“Who instructs Zifunzi to give people land here? We hear he takes money from outsiders, allocates them land, and tells us to leave. Imagine being told to leave your home after living here because someone else paid.”
She said it was worrying that the land officer had resumed his activities despite community protests and previous government interventions.
“If there’s something happening, Zifunzi must engage us because we are the leaders here. Instead, we hear through rumours that new people are coming,” she said.
Ward 25 Zanu PF branch security officer, Bernard Ngwenya, accused land officers of favouring those with money.
“Why should I leave to make way for someone who has not even built anything while I, who have developed the land, must go? It makes us think this country is now for the rich, not the poor,” he said.
Ward 25 Zanu PF branch secretary, Peter Kavhiza, claimed Fox Farm was gazetted for resettlement in 2014, and locals had since established clear structures and registers.
“We have records of everyone here. Every election, we organise using those structures, but now we are surprised that people outside those structures are being recognised by the lands office,” he claimed.
“Every month, these new people pay fees to a parallel structure. We don’t make anyone pay, but land officers seem to recognise the wrong group.”
Villager Dick Ncube urged authorities to follow proper procedures and consult residents.
“We must follow the law set by the government. Officials must come and meet with us to explain what they plan,” he said.
“Instead, they agree on things in offices without consulting those on the ground. They are spoiling the government’s name.”
He said most villagers were not against others being allocated land, but wanted the process to be transparent and inclusive.
“We don’t wish to chase anyone away, every Zimbabwean deserves land but the land office should not hold secret meetings with a few people while ignoring the majority,” he said.
War veteran, Anthony Ndlovu, said the corruption was particularly painful for those who fought for the country’s liberation.
“I fought for this country, and we were resettled here while waiting for formalisation,” he said. “But corrupt individuals came with Zifunzi to peg land. My home was divided in two and I was told it’s on a road. Now they are bringing a new register of people who paid $1 200 each for stands. Where are we supposed to go?”
Another villager, Margaret Baloyi, who said she had lived at Fox Farm for over five decades, broke down in tears.
“I came here 52 years ago and now I’m 75. I have grown old here. Where do I go now?” she asked.
When contacted for comment, Matobo District Land Commissioner refused to respond over the phone.
“Come to my office. I don’t respond over the phone,” Zifunzi said curtly.
When told it would be more convenient to speak by phone, Zifunzi added, “That’s what is there. I will call you when I find time if I come to Bulawayo.”
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