No Going Back On Evictions: Govt Declares War On Illegal Settlements After Thousands Evicted From Willdale Farm

Zimbabwe Government Vows More Evictions After Willdale Farm Clearance

The Zimbabwean government has declared an uncompromising crackdown on illegal settlements across the country, vowing to identify and clear more sites in a decisive move following the eviction of thousands from Willdale Farm. This hardline stance was announced by Information Minister Jenfan Muswere after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, December 16, signalling an aggressive nationwide campaign.

Cabinet Vows To “Deal Decisively” With Illegal Settlements

In a post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister Muswere framed the evictions as a necessary response to a growing “menace” and a flagrant disregard for the law. He detailed the government’s resolve, stating that the recent operation at Willdale Farm was just the beginning of a broader strategy.

“Government remains seriously concerned about the spread of illegal settlements, and as such, more sites requiring eviction will be identified, with strategic interventions being implemented to deal decisively with this menace.

“The objective is to stem the apparent disregard for the country’s settlement laws, as well as court orders, by some unscrupulous individuals,” said Muswere.

The minister confirmed that Cabinet had received a specific update on the fate of the families removed from Willdale Farm, alongside proposals for handling other similar settlements.

Reports from the ground, however, paint a starkly different picture of the aftermath, raising serious questions about the policy’s human cost.

According to eyewitness accounts, families who had lived on the land for years were given less than an hour to gather their belongings before bulldozers demolished their homes.

The government’s relocation site in Nyabira has been criticised for its dire lack of basic services. It reportedly has no running water and inadequate sanitation, forcing the displaced, estimated to be at least 3,000 people, to live in what has been called poor and unsafe conditions.