The International Land Coalition Africa (ILC) is deeply concerned about the recent reports of illegal evictions targeting villagers in Masvingo Province
These actions not only violate international human rights standards but also undermine efforts towards achieving equitable land governance and sustainable development.
The Situation
In the Mavingo area of Zimbabwe, villagers are being forcibly removed from their homes and lands through illegal eviction notice. The villagers were on Wednesday 7 February 2024 convicted of occupying gazetted land without lawful authority as defined in section 3(1) of the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act. They want the High Court to overturn their conviction and set aside their sentence and refer their matter to the Constitutional Court to determine the constitutionality of their eviction. They are arguing that they were allocated land by council, which on its own raised constitutional questions that ought to have moved the court to invoke the provisions of Section 175(4) of the Constitution and refer the matter to the Constitutional Court.
Our Solidarity
The International Land Coalition together with our members in Zimbabwe stand in unwavering solidarity with the affected villagers in the Masvingo area . We strongly condemn these illegal evictions and call on the government to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, to respect and protect the Constitution and to respect international law as it regards the ongoing evictions. Access to land is a fundamental human right, essential for the dignity, well-being, and cultural identity of individuals and communities.
Our Call to Action
We urge the Zimbabwean authorities to uphold the rule of law and adhere to international human rights standards. Immediate action must be taken to halt all eviction processes and arrests of the villagers in the Masvingo area. Conduct transparent investigations into rights violations, and hold perpetrators accountable. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of inclusive dialogue and meaningful engagement with affected communities to find just and sustainable solutions to land tenure issues.
Our Commitment
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to advancing land rights, land tenure security, and equitable access to land for all. We will continue to advocate tirelessly for the rights of communities, and to support inclusive and participatory land governance processes.