The relocation of villagers in the Lubimbi in Matabeleland North’s Binga district to pave way for the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani dam has again stalled amid reports that some Zanu PF and government officials are eyeing the land earmarked for them.
About 502 families of Lubimbi will be relocated to pave way for the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani dam.
The dam construction includes a 245-kilometre-long water pipeline from Gwayi-Shangani to Bulawayo, a situation that will see hundreds of families being affected and relocated.
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube never mentioned a budget to cater for the relocation and compensation for the affected villagers when announcing his 2025 budget
Binga South opposition legislator, Fanuel Cumanzala (pictured), said he had received reports that some high ranking officials are eyeing the area earmarked for Lubimbi villagers due to its fertility.
Cumanzala said it was shocking that the budget for their relocation has has not been announced, adding that this has left the affected villagers in a quandary.
Matabeleland North minister of State , Richard Moyo, dismissed the claims saying the issue of relocating the Lubimbi villagers to Kanondo remains on paper.
“What is being said about government officials eyeing the Kanondo area is not true," Moyo said.
- Lubimbi villagers relocation stalls again
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“That area is specifically reserved for the villagers and mind you l am the chairperson of the land so this is what l am telling you that what is being said is not true.”
Moyo said what the government was debating on is whether the villagers should be given money to build their own houses or have the houses constructed for them.
“The resolution was that we will construct them because people cannot be trusted when it comes to such issues,” he said.
Moyo said the villagers would remain at their present location until houses had been constructed in Binga district’s Lusulu area.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and Chinese contractor, China International Water and Electric Corporation are involved in the construction of the giant structure.
A position paper recently, the Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) said the planned relocations are inhumane and cause disruption of social, cultural and religious values and systems of Binga villagers, among other human rights violations.
In its recommendations, the MIHR urged the government to fully adopt and adhere to the United Nations Basic Principles and Guidelines on Development-based Evictions and Displacement.
“The relevant parliamentary portfolio committees should be mandated to visit the affected communities before and after relocations to ensure that appropriate policy and action measures are being taken to alleviate gross human rights violations,” the MIHR added.
