A judge threw out eviction orders against 19 families living on Clipsham land. Justice Sunsley Zisengwe made this decision at Masvingo High Court after finding out the government never officially declared the area as state property. The families had been staying there since 2002 when they first moved onto the farm. Local officials tried to kick them out earlier this year but the court stopped it. The ruling protects these settlers who thought they were breaking the law.
The trouble started when Magistrate Farai Gwitima found the families guilty of living on government land without permission back in February. He told them they had one week to pack up and leave their homes. The families fought back and asked the High Court to give them more time before having to move. Judges agreed and let them stay longer than the original seven days. The settlers never argued against being found guilty at first.
Everything changed when the Ministry of Local Government sent a letter in July saying the land was never officially registered as state property. The families realized they had admitted guilt for something that was not actually illegal. They asked the High Court to look at their case again using special legal powers. The court agreed that a mistake had been made since the original charge was wrong. Judges said they should have checked whether the land was really government property before confirming any punishment.
The trouble started when Magistrate Farai Gwitima found the families guilty of living on government land without permission back in February. He told them they had one week to pack up and leave their homes. The families fought back and asked the High Court to give them more time before having to move. Judges agreed and let them stay longer than the original seven days. The settlers never argued against being found guilty at first.
Everything changed when the Ministry of Local Government sent a letter in July saying the land was never officially registered as state property. The families realized they had admitted guilt for something that was not actually illegal. They asked the High Court to look at their case again using special legal powers. The court agreed that a mistake had been made since the original charge was wrong. Judges said they should have checked whether the land was really government property before confirming any punishment.
