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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
The Insiza Rural District Council in Matabeleland South Province has distanced itself from the planned eviction of Lochard villagers settled about 50km from Bulawayo along the Bulawayo-Gweru road.

The villagers who are accused of illegally settling themselves, were given up to end of last month to vacate the area.

The villagers have since approached the High Court which granted a provisional order blocking their eviction.

The Insiza Rural District Council which was cited as one of the respondents, has distanced itself from the planned eviction. The council last Friday filed papers disassociating itself from the dispute arguing that the dispute was a baby of its parent ministry, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

The other respondents were, the Insiza district administrator, Matabeleland South provincial administrator, Ministers of Lands and Rural Settlement, Douglas Mombeshora, his Local Government counterpart, Saviour Kasukuwere and Chief Jahana.

No opposing papers from those cited as respondents in the application were filed.

The Bulawayo High Court last month blocked the eviction after 117 villagers under Chief Jahana approached the court.

The Chronicle yesterday visited the area and observed that most of the villagers had not moved except for a few that panicked and demolished their structures.

The villagers who spoke to the news crew however said they were living a life of uncertainty as no official communication has been relayed to them regarding the government position.

Some of villagers who say they are staying put are pensioners and widows who are raising orphans.

Sophia Tshuma, 65, said she built an expensive structure and was prepared to defend her home with her life.

“I’m a widow raising four orphans. I’ve nowhere to go if I’m evicted. As we speak I don’t know what the future holds as we haven’t been told of the court ruling. We were told that by Wednesday (tomorrow) we should have moved but where will I go?” said Tshuma.

Another villager, Simangaliso Moyo said instead of wasting resources on evicting them, the authorities should be using the resources to develop the area.

“Our children are travelling long distances to get to the nearest school. My wish is that we be allowed to stay here and develop ourselves with the help of the government,” said Moyo.

She said her relocation to Lochard had given her a home that she had yearned for over the years.

About 2,000 families were declared illegal settlers and were given up to July, 31 to vacate the area.

However, Insiza South legislator, Cde Andrew Langa, last month assured the villagers that no one was going to be removed from the area as Zanu-PF is a party that caters for its people.

He promised the villagers that he was going to engage the relevant ministries to stop the planned evictions.