By Wisdom Mumera
In Kingsdale, Norton, almost every two months there are cases of someone’s house being demolished.
Its a painful situation which has been playing out for so long that many authorities have become inured and numb to the shocking sights.
However, the genesis of the problem, like with most land issues, is political.
In early 2016 garrulous politician Chris Mutsvangwa was fired from Parliament by his own party, ZANU PF.
Mutsvangwa, who was Norton MP, was accused of being unrepentant after he had been suspended from the party 3 years earlier.
His removal from Parliament paved the way for a by-election in Norton constituency.
Zanu-PF was expected to retain the seat after the main opposition, MDC-T decided to boycott all by-elections.
MDC-T alleged that the electoral field was uneven.
This left a contest in which Temba Mliswa, an independent but former ZANU-PF member was pitted against Ronald Chindedza of ZANU PF.
Politics of Land
In a bid to canvass more support for the ruling party, Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere played the land card.
Kasukuwere promised the people of Kingsdale, one of the most populous locations in Norton, that they were safe.
Their stands, acquired through sheer politics, against the actual owner Maparahwe Properties, were already a combustible keg.
Initially 1 500 families, members of the Kingsdale Housing Cooperative had been given land by the Government.
However, the donation had been invalidated by the court.
Still, the people remained on the land and the numbers grew.
By 2016 Kingsdale had become a decisive political constituency.
“No one will take your land.
“I will instruct the Urban Development Corporation to regularise this place and provide basic services,” Kasukuwere promised them.
However, the move failed to have an impact.
Independent candidate Mliswa won the Norton seat polling 8 927 votes against Zanu-PF’s Cde Ronald Chindedza who garnered 6 129.
The Kingsdale gimmick had failed to work.
An Abandoned Community
As a result Government literally abandoned the Kingsdale community.
In October 2016 Maparahwe Properties went to court challenging the occupation of the land.
In a clear sign of the absence of any political will, Government didn’t contest the Maparahwe case.
Through, Kasukuwere, it did not file papers opposing the interim order.
In November 2016 Government conceded in the High Court that the land was a private property belonging to Maparahwe Properties Pvt Ltd.
Justice Hlekani Mwaeyera granted an interim order stopping the acquisition of the farm.
That verdict has been the foundation of a whole community’s suffering.
Maparahwe’s Alpha Powers
Unrestrained, Maparahwe Properties, has been milking the Kingsdale residents with vexatious demands, charges and demolitions.
The US$27 per square metre charge has proved too much for many who occupied the land in the belief that it was a government donation.
“I came here as a beneficiary of the ZANU-PF program and we were assured that we are safe.
“I never thought it would get to this point where we are being charged such a hefty amount,” said Chipo Mutambudzi (46), a resident.
Another resident, Agrippa Dausi said Maparahwe was toying with them.
“We have seen many houses demolished and the developer has been constantly changing goalposts.
“It’s unfortunate that Government has itself abandoned us to him.
“Before his removal Mliswa tried to deal with this issue but the people are too divided,” he said.
As things stand Maparahwe Properties is demanding US$27 per square metre from all residents.
Those who fail to sign such agreements have their houses demolished.
The demolitions are random and have no timetable.
Various court applications against Maparahwe have failed to yield any positive results.
Meanwhile, divisions have soared among the residents, some aligning with Maparahwe while others remains obstinate that they own the land.
Various political parties have also tried to milk support using the case with fake promises and actions.
Vice President Chiwenga has visited the place and given many promises.
None have been fulfilled.
Years after ZANU PF tried to win Norton elections through a land gimmick, Kingsdale residents remain a community under siege.
