Villagers To Give Way To Game Park
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CHUNDU, August 13, 2009 - Confusion has gripped over 2 000 villagers
in the remote area under Chief Chundu in Hurungwe, amid conflicting
statements that they face eviction from their homes of nearly three decades
to pave way for a game park.

The majority of the villagers here suffered the same fate in 1983 when
they were evicted from Nyamakate when Government introduced resettlement
scheme and were accommodated under Chief Chundu's area.
The area is under Hurungwe's rural council ward's 8 and has had an
influx of many people from around the country since then as some came from
as far as Masvingo for the virgin land.
However villagers claim that they have been haunted by reports that
they will be evicted within the next three months to pave way for a yet to
be named Chinese company that want to venture into safari operations in
partnership with acting Chief Chundu.
''We have heard of the notice that Chief Chundu has facilitated our
eviction before the onset of rain season and is working with a Chinese
company. We are still yet to get details on how are we going to be
compensated and where we are to be resettled. Its confusing and unjust to
us.'' said 47 year old peasant farmer Lameck Mapanga under headman Nyaguwa
village in Mahwau area.
He lamented that he had spent 25 years farming in the area and had no
hope to start of yet another new life anywhere.
Dejected rural folks complained on how they would face the fate of
being evicted with some loosing hope of their lost relatives and getting
away living deceased graves. Traditionally, its a taboo to leave a relatives
grave far away from where you reside.
'' I lost my parents early this year and I have to leave their graves
because the Chief Chundu respects animals than his subjects. Its unfortunate
for us all'' said Barnabas Tore of Kabidza area.
Though there are conflicting reports, villagers in Mahwau have been
addressed by one Felix Chambwe warning them to be prepared for eviction.
Villagers to be affected include those in Madzikita, Mayamba, Kabidza,
Mahwau and part of Karuru area all in ward 8 and it will extend part of
Zambezi basin that links Chundu with Guruve in Mashonaland Central.
Some villagers recounted that the same exercise was aborted in 1994 by
the council when youths demonstrated against the erection of a buffer-zone
fence that could have pushed out at least five hundred villagers then.
''We had few youths who demanded an explanation on why the council had
allowed veterinary officials to lead the erection of a buffer-zone in
Mayamba area and a grader assigned for the exercise was stopped. Although
Campfire programme was council top priority, they had no justification to
evict us and we have enjoyed our stay here' said Rosina Kamuchira of
Mayamaba village.
However local councilor Paddington Chavhura confirmed the threats the
villagers were facing from acting Chief Picture Chundu but council had no
plans to evict the villagers.
'Unless if this is done behind council's back then the Chief will be
answerable on compensating those affected. Council is battling to get some
developmental projects done and cannot afford to create resettlement crisis
for nearly two thousand families'' said councilor Chabvura.
Hurungwe rural district council chief executive officer Joram Moyo was
not immediately available for comment at the time of writing, but a source
at the Magunje council offices confirmed that the issue was tabled during
last Friday council meeting and council had not sanctioned the eviction of
villagers in Chundu area.
''Chief Chundu is working on his own and is still yet to communicate
with the council over this project and it will never take off as council can
not afford to be dragged in controversy of land issue at this stage'' said a
source who has no authority to speak to the press.
However Chief Chundu refused to discuss the issue when approached for
comment saying, ''I am the Chief and no -one has the right to ask what I do
with my land as well as animals and my subjects,'' before driving off in his
car.

Chundu in Zim, Jackson and Sharpton over here. Not a damn bit of difference. Self serving bastards on their best day.