A Hwedza magistrate has issued a sweeping interdict against three people accused of running an illegal parallel leadership structure that created unauthorised villages, displaced legally appointed village heads, and collected revenue from residents in violation of communal land laws.
According to the court order granted on 28 November 2025, (Case No. WDSCG40/25) the respondents — Campion Zawe, Andrew Kuvandikira, and Weston Kuvandikira — are barred from illegally establishing villages, removing legitimate village heads, personalising community programmes, conducting traditional rituals without authority, collecting revenue for personal benefit, and intimidating or issuing threats to residents.
The ruling, stamped by the Clerk of Court and the Magistrate, further authorises any attested member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police to arrest the respondents if they violate any aspect of the order.
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The Hwedza case is indicative of a growing rural governance trend: the rise of shadow village heads and localised land barons carving out power bases in communal areas as Zimbabwe experiences a rural regeneration.
Only a few months ago, an X post from Manica Province went viral after a chief complained publicly about individuals “posing as village heads” and illegally allocating land.
These “illegal village heads” often create new settlements without district or traditional approval, levy unofficial taxes, preside over rituals or community matters, and depose legitimate village structures.
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