Edgar Gweshe
Residents of Clipsham farm in Masvingo who have been given notice to vacate the area have made an appeal for the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) to intervene and investigate their impending eviction.
Represented by the Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Development (MACRAD), the residents who have occupied the farm for the past 20 years contend that the proposed evictions are a breach of their constitutional rights.
The residents, who were offered plots during the Fast Track Land Reform.
Programme were firstly informed to vacate the farm in September 2020 during a meeting with officials from the Masvingo District Administrator’s office.
The residents vehemently opposed the notice to vacate and government had been silent until June this year when verbal notices to vacate were given to the farm occupants.
This prompted the residents to launch an appeal at the Masvingo High Court. The appeal was however dismissed thus paving way for the eviction of the residents.
In a letter to the ZHRC, Dates August 27, MACRAD Director Ephraim Mtombeni said there is urgent need to investigate the proposed evictions of residents from Clipsham farm.
“These residents have lived on this land for over 20 years, consistently paying taxes and contributing to the local economy. The situation has now escalated to a point where immediate intervention is necessary to prevent a gross violation of human rights.
This sudden notice, without any alternative arrangements or due process, has caused significant distress among the residents.
These families, who have long considered Clipsham Farm their home, insist that they have been legitimately resettled and have no other place to go. Furthermore, gravel roads are currently being constructed in the area, signaling that their eviction is imminent,” said Mtombeni.
About 500 villagers stand to be affected by the impending evictions. Clipsham farm is located about 5 kilometres from Masvingo town and authorities have hinted that residents should vacate to pave way for expansion of the town.
Mtombeni argues that the dismissal of the residents’ High Court appeal has left them vulnerable.
“The court’s dismissal of their appeal has left them vulnerable and without legal recourse, as the judgment stated that the courts could not direct ministers on their operations. This decision undermines the residents’ property and land rights and violates their fundamental human rights, causing severe distress to families who have built their lives in this community,” said Mtombeni.
As part of their recommendations, MACRAD implored ZHRC to conduct a thorough investigation into the proposed eviction of the Clipsham Farm residents, focusing on potential violations of human rights and freedoms as set out in the Declaration of Rights.
MACRAD also called upon ZHRC to research the broader implications of the impending evictions on socio-economic rights, particularly concerning marginalized groups such as women, youths and ethnic minorities who are disproportionately affected by such actions.
“We urge the Commission to act by this mandate by investigating the proposed eviction of Clipsham Farm residents and ensuring that their socio-economic rights,
including property and land rights, are respected and protected. The residents deserve due process and the protection of their basic human rights, particularly given the long-standing nature of their settlement and their significant contribution to the local community. We believe that the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, in fulfilling its constitutional duties, can bring about a resolution that upholds the rights and dignity of the affected families,” said Mtombeni.
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Chairperson, Jessie Majome acknowledged receipt of the letter from MACRAD and said the commission was seized with the matter.
“I can confirm that the complaint was received and is being addressed in terms
of our dual mandate as the National Human Rights Institution and Administrative Justice (Public Protector) Institution,” said Majome.
