Police arrest 5 Mutare land barons

Zim Now Writer

Police have arrested five people in Mutare in connection with the illegal allocation of land as the law enforcement agents intensify operations against land barons in the country.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development in a statement on X.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has intensified operation against the illegal allocating of housing stands by land barons in several parts of the country in line with the recent press release on illegal settlements on agricultural land by Honourable Minister of lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr A. J Masuka and in conjunction with Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ministers, Provincial Development Coordinators and Ministry of Local Government and Public Works responsible for urban and local authorities.”

The five suspects are are Binali Yard, 48, Webster Mudziwa, 39, Tawanda Ndawe, 42, Trust Matima, 39, and Brian Marange, 59.

Police urged members of the public to report illegal acts by land barons to enable the law to take its course.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy died after being hit on the eye with an unknown object at a house in Chiedza suburb, Karoi on Monday.

“Police in Karoi are investigating a case of murder which occurred on 11/11/23 at a house in Chiedza suburb. The case was initially reported to the police as a sudden death incident in which a male juvenile (15) died after being hit on the eye with an unknown object,” police said on X.

The object had allegedly exploded after it was thrown in the fire by the victim.

Investigations by the police revealed that the victim was shot by another male juvenile, 13, on the head with a 0.32 Revolver Taurus pistol.

The suspect confessed to the police that he wanted to find out if the firearm kills. The suspect was given the pistol by his friend, a male juvenile, 10. The pistol belongs to Takudzwa Saini, 18, the suspect’s friend’s elder brother.