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Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
THE government yesterday ordered more than 500 families that illegally settled themselves near Imbizo and Induna Army Barracks in Umguza District to move out of the area.

Speaking at a ceremony to give villagers certificates of occupation, Matabeleland North provincial administrator Lathiso Dlamini said the law did not allow people to settle themselves.

She said no settlement was allowed within the two kilometre radius of any army barrack.

“There are people who were settled here legally and (provincial chief lands officer) Possenti Nkiwane is here to give you occupation letters. There are however, some who illegally settled themselves and these should move out,” said Dlamini.

She said army barracks were sensitive areas and people were therefore not allowed to settle themselves near them as was the case in Umguza.

She said there was a shooting range and cantonment area which prohibited human settlement.

Dlamini said the illegal settlers numbering about 500 families were disrupting the land reform exercise and should be removed.

Nkiwane said all those who were not settled by the Ministry of Lands, district or provincial lands committees should move out of the area immediately.

“There are too many people here and you’ve exceeded the carrying capacity. I hope that the illegal settlers are the new ones who just settled now,” said Nkiwane.

He said no human settlement was allowed within the 2km radius of a barrack and all those within the stipulated radius had to move out including those settled by government by mistake.

Nkiwane said there were villagers who had built homesteads under power lines and these too should move their homes.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Cain Mathema in September ordered those who had occupied land illegally to immediately vacate the properties or risk being arrested.

He said the only person who could allocate land was the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Cde Douglas Mombeshora.

Cde Mathema warned people against abusing Zanu- PF’s name when invading properties.

He also warned politicians against promising or distributing land to people with the hope of winning votes.