Zimbabwe: Chilonga Activists Targeted in Sabhuku Deals Crackdown

• Zimbabwean activists allege a government crackdown on illegal "Sabhuku deals" is being used to target dissenters opposing land displacement.
• Community members vocal against relocation are reportedly facing intimidation and pressure, with some going into hiding, according to the Masvingo Centre for Research and Development.
• The dispute stems from a 2021 Statutory Instrument 50, which sought to allocate 12,940 hectares of Chilonga communal land for lucerne production, sparking legal and human rights challenges.
• Rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, previously raised concerns over lack of consultation and consent regarding the proposed displacement.
• Activists fear the renewed focus on land transactions will further expose those advocating for the protection of ancestral land, livelihoods, and cultural rights, as the Chilonga dispute remains unresolved.

Activists now express apprehension that the renewed governmental focus on land transactions, under the guise of the "Sabhuku deals" crackdown, could further expose community leaders and campaigners to intensified state pressure.

Activists in Zimbabwe are raising alarms that a government campaign, ostensibly aimed at curbing illicit land transactions, is being weaponized to suppress opposition to land displacement initiatives. Reports indicate that community members who have vocally opposed relocation plans are experiencing intimidation and pressure, with some reportedly seeking refuge after coming under scrutiny from state authorities. These allegations emerge amidst a broader government effort to halt the unlawful sale and allocation of communal land, commonly referred to as “Sabhuku deals.”

While state officials assert that this campaign is designed to prevent village leaders and other individuals from illegally parcelling out and selling communal or state-owned land, Chilonga activists present a different perspective. They contend that the enforcement drive provides an additional mechanism to exert pressure on villagers who have resisted proposals to move their predominantly Shangani community. The Masvingo Centre for Research and Development (MACRAD) has previously documented instances of intimidation, threats, arbitrary arrests, and physical abuse directed at individuals resisting the displacement of Chilonga villagers.

According to MACRAD, some activists have been compelled to abandon their homes in the area due to alleged persecution. Ephraim Mtombeni, the director of MACRAD, stated that those who have stood firm in defending their ancestral lands continue to face various forms of persecution. He highlighted that some individuals have gone into hiding because of this persecution, describing their situation as dire. Mtombeni further noted that a number of activists have fled the region due to the intense pressure they are enduring and are in urgent need of assistance.

These recent allegations reignite long-standing concerns regarding the treatment of Chilonga villagers, who have consistently opposed relocation plans tied to lucerne production. The genesis of this dispute dates back to 2021, when the Zimbabwean government issued Statutory Instrument 50. This legal instrument aimed to designate approximately 12,940 hectares of Chilonga communal land specifically for lucerne cultivation. However, Statutory Instrument 50 was later repealed by Statutory Instrument 72A of 2021, which changed the purpose to an irrigation scheme, though the land remains designated and the threat of relocation persists, particularly as Statutory Instrument 51 of 2021, which declared the land ceased to be communal, was not repealed.

The proposed displacement ignited a significant legal and human rights controversy. Various human rights organizations challenged the government's process, voicing serious concerns about the adequacy of consultation with affected communities, the fairness of compensation offered, and the provision of suitable alternative land. Human Rights Watch, at the time, reported that several leaders within the Chilonga community had expressed their opposition to the relocation proposals, emphasizing that the project had been announced without their prior consent.

Activists now express apprehension that the renewed governmental focus on land transactions, under the guise of the "Sabhuku deals" crackdown, could further expose community leaders and campaigners to intensified state pressure. They argue forcefully that legitimate efforts to prevent illegal land sales should not be misused as a pretext to punish or intimidate villagers who are merely exercising their fundamental rights to speak out against displacement.

The underlying Chilonga land dispute remains unresolved, with community activists steadfastly advocating for the protection of their ancestral land, their traditional livelihoods, and their cultural rights. This ongoing situation underscores critical issues surrounding land tenure security and freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, particularly for communities facing state-backed development projects. The potential for legal frameworks to be applied in ways that target dissent creates significant risks for individuals and organizations involved in land-related initiatives.

Lawyers advising on land rights, human rights, or corporate social responsibility in Zimbabwe should monitor how 'Sabhuku deals' enforcement is applied, as it may be used to target dissent, creating significant legal and reputational risks for clients involved in land-related projects or facing state scrutiny. This situation underscores the need for robust due diligence and advocacy regarding land tenure security and freedom of expression.

Source: Reporting based on recent news coverage.