Land invasion sparks outrage in Lupane
Thembelihle Mhlanga
Residents of Ndlovu and Shabula villages in Sotani ward of Kusile Rural District Council (KRDC) are furious over the invasion of their communal lands by Lupane town landowners. Allegedly aided by local Headman, King Ngwenya and some Village Heads, the land grabbers have been parceling out the land for profit and erected shanty settlements.
Nkosilathi Ndlovu, a villager from Ndlovu village, expressed the villagers’ frustration: “This is our ancestral land that we inherited from our forefathers. We have been living here peacefully for generations. How can they just come and take it away from us?”
The invaders not only occupied the land but also caused environmental damage, cutting down trees, polluting water sources, and causing soil erosion. Thandiwe Nyathi from Shabula village highlighted the impact on their livelihoods: “We used to graze cattle and goats, sell produce, and earn money. Now we are forced to destock since we no longer have any grazing land.”
Despite reporting the issue to authorities like the Chief and council, villagers like Nyathi feel abandoned: “We have reported this matter to the Chief and council, but nothing has been done.”
Environmentalists, including Thabani Moyo, have condemned the invasion, citing threats to biodiversity and the ecosystem of the Zambezi Valley: “The land invasion is destroying this natural heritage and jeopardizing the future of the region.”
Councilor Thulisani Nkomo of Proportional Representation acknowledged the challenge faced by local authorities: “The erupting settlement is an eyesore”. The councilor revealed plans to engage concerned village heads in finding a solution, recognizing the urgency of the matter.
“The government has a duty to protect the environment and the rights of the people. It must act swiftly and decisively to stop this land invasion and evict the illegal settlers,” Moyo emphasized.
