Soldiers Order 600 Gutu RDC Stand Holders Out of Chatsworth Farm
Story By Morris Bishi
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has ordered about 600 people to leave Gertnel Farm near Chatsworth Business Centre. The army says the farm is its property. The residents bought their stands from Gutu Rural District Council (RDC) from 2018 onwards.
Soldiers Deployed to Stop Construction
One resident told Masvingo Mirror that soldiers now patrol the area. They want to stop stand owners from building any further. Some families have finished their houses and moved in. Others are still building. Many paid US$3 000 or more for their stands.
The residents say they hold all the required documents. These include leases and inspection forms from Gutu RDC. They fear losing the investment of a lifetime.
Council Engages the Army
Gutu RDC chief executive officer Alexander Mutembwa confirmed the dispute. He said council is talking to the army to find a solution.
“There is an issue over the stands that council sold in Chatsworth. We are engaging the military and will meet its leadership to discuss the boundaries,” Mutembwa said.
Masvingo Mirror asked whether council would compensate residents if it fails to regularise the stands. Mutembwa said the matter had not reached that stage.
The 4 Brigade public relations officer, Emmanuel Muchazivepi, referred questions to the ZNA Public Relations Directorate in Harare.
Army Says the Farm Is Its Property
A senior military official told Masvingo Mirror that the farm has belonged to the army since the Rhodesian era. He dismissed the sales as “Sabhuku deals”. He said the ZNA would not take responsibility for them.
A military source disputed the residents’ account. The source said the Army’s shooting ranch is in Bikita. The army only borrowed the Chatsworth farm for a limited period.
Residents Speak of Shock
Resident Rejoice Nheya said the stand owners are in shock. They bought their stands directly from council and hold official documents.
“We bought these stands from Gutu RDC and we have all the necessary papers, including leases and inspection forms from council,” Nheya said.
Another resident asked not to be named. He bought his stand in 2022 while serving at 4.3 Brigade in Gutu. He said military leaders assured officers at the time that the stands posed no problem.
“It is shocking,” he said. “The same Army that cleared its officers to buy stands now claims the farm.”
He invested more than US$3 000 from his meagre earnings, and he now fears losing it all. “It is painful to be stopped after years of saving and investing. It feels like losing everything,” he said.
He also claimed that more than 15 military officers bought stands in the area. Some of them already have houses at different stages of construction.
Tafara Chavizha said residents are engaging council, but nothing has come of it.
“We paid everything to Gutu RDC and all our papers are in order,” Chavizha said. “We have held several meetings with council. It promised to engage the Army, but there is no progress.”
Reporting based on original coverage by Mirror.
