By Owen Dhliwayo
On February 22, 2024, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) released a statement addressing the alarming surge of arbitrary evictions occurring throughout the country. Over January and February, the government initiated widespread evictions in peri-urban and rural communities under the banner of the “No to land barons and illegal settlements on state land” operation.
Shockingly, this operation resulted in over 985 convictions, with 3,360 cases pending trials nationwide, leaving a trail of displaced individuals.
The manner and targets of these evictions have drawn strong disapproval from the church community.
The statement reads; The statement reads; “The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) condemns these mass land evictions and destruction of people’s property that have left thousands of Zimbabweans homeless and made dispossessed Zimbabweans even more vulnerable.”
The church, as a formidable social institution, possesses the power and influence to catalyze positive change where governmental efforts have fallen short.
It serves as a voice for the oppressed and, in certain instances, acts as a mediator between the government and marginalized communities.
The purported focus of the “No to land barons and illegal settlements on state land” operation on land barons has proven to be misleading.
Instead, it has disproportionately impacted unsuspecting victims caught in the crosshairs of a skewed land tenure system inherited from the colonial era.
This historical framework has been a breeding ground for arbitrary evictions, contributing to homelessness, livelihood loss, and a myriad of challenges that worsen poverty and inequality, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and people with disabilities.
The ZCC demands an end to mass evictions and urges the government to respect and protect the rights of those affected, citing Section 11 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act 2013.
This section obliges the state to “take all practical measures to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms” and underscores the incompetence of local authorities in monitoring and responding to illegal activities.
The church expresses concern that the ongoing chaos in land governance stems from political considerations overshadowing proper planning principles. This has resulted in the incapacitation of local authorities and the emergence of unplanned settlements.
The ZCC fears that these mass evictions may escalate into land-based conflicts, highlighting the potential for historical injustices and misguided government policies to breed strife, homelessness, and poverty.
Positioning itself as a crucial force for positive development, the church emphasizes its commitment to social justice and the recognition of inherent human dignity.
Drawing from its teachings on the sanctity of human life and the common good, the ZCC asserts its moral and ethical authority in mediating land-based conflicts, particularly focusing on protecting vulnerable groups and promoting sustainable and equitable land use.
Referencing Zimbabwe’s history of liberation and the people’s fight for land, the church reminded the Zimbabwean government on the liberation ethos and the need to have legal framework that recognize the determination of the common people in their desire to have access to land.
It is not a secret that the Church played a critical role in the liberation of Zimbabwe by being a vocal critic of the colonial regime and its discriminatory policies. It also provided humanitarian support and influenced the pronouncement of the policy of reconciliation in 1980.
It is therefore important that the church take a central role in ensuring that the current situation does not escalate into violent confrontation.
Through mediation, the church can help resolve the dispute in a fair and equitable manner, taking into account the needs and interests of all parties involved.
