The youths have been taking over properties owned by Indian and white Zimbabweans saying it’s part of the government’s empowerment drive. Government is trying to force foreign-owned companies to give 51% of their shareholding to locals in the next five years.
Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said: “Issues to do with evictions are handled by the courts because it is their responsibility of making orders as such.
“They are the ones better placed to comment on whether there will be any evictions or not. “Our role as police is to accompany a messenger of court whose function is to effect court orders,” he said on Thursday.
The invasions have also sparked a political storm in Bulawayo with the Zanu PF youths pushing for the ouster of provincial chairman Isaac Dakamela, who they accuse of siding with property owners.
Zapu has also threatened to stop the invasions if the police do not act. Ray Ncube, the Zapu provincial chairman urged the party’s youths to stop discouraging investment in the city.
“We should, by all means, protect other races. We should not let these parties chase businesses under the guise of nationalisation.” He said Indian Zimbabweans supported the liberation struggle and don’t deserve the treatment they were getting from Zanu PF.
