Residents of Ndlovu Village in Sotani Ward in Lupane have raised concerns over alleged illegal land deals they say are destroying communal grazing areas and threatening the livelihoods of local farmers.
Tensions in the area escalated after villagers removed Village Head Elie Moyo, who is accused of bypassing community procedures to allocate communal land to outsiders for between US$100 and US$400.
Since then, villagers have installed Thembinkosi Dube as the new village head, supported by a revived Village Development Committee (VIDCO). However, the dispute has continued, with fresh allegations against traditional leadership structures.
Residents accuse Headman Somanyanga (born King Ngwenya) of continuing to approve land allocations in protected grazing areas, despite community opposition.
The Headman declined to comment on the matter.
For villagers, the issue goes beyond land boundaries and has become an economic and environmental concern.
“We removed Moyo because she was selling our heritage,” said community elder Bishop Mpala. “Now we see Headman Somanyanga stamping letters allowing people to build where our cattle should be grazing.”
“Our rivers are silting up from new construction and the grass is disappearing. We are taking our grievances to the District Development Coordinator and Kusile Rural District Council (KRDC) before there is nothing left,” he said.
Livestock farmers say the situation is already affecting their herds.
“My goats are wandering through barren scrub and you can see their ribs,” said Gugu Ndlovu, a widowed farmer. “These letters are inviting strangers to take what belongs to our children while we watch helplessly.”
Local farmers also reported deforestation and worsening soil erosion, with gullies forming in areas where vegetation has been cleared for settlement.
Sipho Tshuma, a young maize farmer, said fertile topsoil was being washed away as construction expands into unsuitable areas.
The dispute highlights tensions between traditional leadership practices and formal land governance procedures.
Kusile Rural District Council (KRDC) chairperson Vusa Mthenjwa Ncube said land allocation in communal areas must follow established procedures involving multiple levels of approval.
He said applicants must first approach the village head, who consults the village assembly. The process then moves to the VIDCO, followed by the Ward Development Committee (WARDCO), and finally the council for approval.
“The procedure is clear. It goes from the village head to the VIDCO, then the WARDCO, and finally to the council for approval,” he said.
However, villagers say these procedures are being ignored, with grazing land — which is legally protected from settlement — being allocated without proper consultation.
Thembinkosi Dube, the newly appointed village head, said his leadership would work to halt further encroachment.
“We reject the sale of our land,” he said. “What is happening is a mockery of our local governance systems.”