A fresh wave of land invasions has gripped Warwick Farm, a once-thriving agricultural estate on the shores of Lake Chivero in Zvimba district, with politically connected land barons allegedly linked to Zanu PF pegging and selling stands to desperate home seekers.
The new twist comes in the form of powerful land barons led by Passmore Mubaiwa, believed to be operating with protection from local political elites, including the MP for Zvimba East Kudakwashe Manhanzva, who sources say has offered quiet support — to the illegal activity.
Investigations on the ground revealed that teams of land barons have started pegging residential stands across parts of Warwick Farm, demanding payments ranging from US$14 000 per 300 square metre stand.
Potential buyers are told to “register as 2000 land reform beneficiaries” — a move widely viewed as an attempt to legitimise the illegal settlements.
“They came with hired surveyors and started demarcating land just a few weeks ago,” said one resident who refused to be named.
“They’re telling us that if we pretend we were beneficiaries in 2000, no one will chase us away.”
Residents say the land barons are using the names of senior government officials and Zanu PF, making it difficult for authorities to intervene without political repercussions.”
Warwick Farm has been at the epicentre of land ownership conflict since the fast-track land reform programme began in 2000.
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While some settlers have documents from the Ministry of Lands, others arrived later under unclear circumstances — many without proper allocation letters or tenure.
Several sources alleged that Manhanzva is complicit, turning a blind eye to the illegal activity while benefiting from it politically by presenting the illegal settlements as empowerment initiatives.
“The MP’s people tell home seekers not to worry, that they are safe and encourages them to stay,” said a source.
“It’s hard to challenge these land barons because they drop his name and that of the President [Emmerson Mnangagwa] whenever they are confronted.”
Mubaiwa said these baseless allegations were nothing, but a desperate attempt to tarnish his good name and distract the public from the real issues.
“You have been sent by my enemies,” he said.
The councillor for the area (ward 1) Nomatter Sibanda refused to comment, citing the “sensitivity” of the matter.
Manhanzva could not be reached for comment.
The situation at Warwick Farm remains volatile, with fears of possible clashes between different claimant groups if the government continues to look the other way.
