The Zanu PF government has deployed soldiers to assist in removing illegal settlers from A1 and A2 farms, bolstering police efforts to address the growing issue of unauthorized land occupations.

This joint operation, which includes various security agencies, was discussed in Parliament when Murewa South MP Noah Mangondo (Zanu PF) expressed concerns about the spread of these illegal settlements. Mangondo questioned the government’s approach, noting that the current departments struggled to control the situation.

“My question is: What is being done by the government to make sure that the issue of illegal settlements ends because all these government departments that are there are failing to resolve this issue?” he asked.

Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka advised affected farmers to report unlawful settlers to the police, rather than approaching the Lands office for evictions.

“If you go to the Lands office requesting them to come and evict the person who has settled on a farm unlawfully, you are approaching the wrong office,” Masuka explained. He emphasized that handling illegal settlements falls under police jurisdiction, urging people to report these cases so that police can take action.

Masuka also confirmed that the army, along with the police, Air Force, President’s Office, and Prisons, is involved in the evictions to ensure the safety of land officers, who often face threats during inspections.

“We have four groups working in the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Ministry. We have also engaged the Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force, ZRP, the President’s Department, and Prisons to have a joint operation command to help the honorable minister to make sure that the lands officer is able to reach the place where the illegal settlers are settled,” Masuka stated.