Mutare man in court for illegally settling on Chimene farm

Zim Now Writer

A Mutare man, Sony Manyande, 60, appeared before Mutare magistrate, Prisca Manhibi charged with using or occupying gazetted land without lawful authority as defined in Section 3, subsection 4 as read with Section 3, subsection 1 of the Gazetted Land (Consequential provisions) Act, Chapter 20:28.

Exiled politician Manditawepi Chimene reportedly has an offer letter to settle on the farm.

Manyande, who was represented by Muchabaya Mareyanadzo of Chikamhi and Mareyanadzo Law Firm, was remanded out of custody on $80 000 bail to January 13, 2023.

Loice Kadenha prosecuted.

Kadenha told the court: “The Fairholme Farm is registered in the name of Peter L. Hurrel, which is situated in Mutasa District of Manicaland, measuring 146.76 hectares and was gazetted for resettlement.

“On October 24, 2003, Manditawepi Chimene was given an offer letter by the then Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement to settle on the farm,” said Kadenha.

Manyande illegally settled at the farm sometime in November 2017, the court heard, erecting some structures and a cattle kraal pen for his cattle and started carrying out farming activities.

“To date, the accused person is still carrying out farming activities at the farm. The accused person does not have an offer letter, permit or land settlement lease to occupy the gazetted land,” she said.