Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE Matabeleland South Provincial Lands Committee and a local traditional leader, Chief Masuku, have started investigating the alleged illegal parcelling of land at Mthwakazi’s Fox Farm in Matobo District.

A self-appointed land baron, Jeorasy Dube, stands accused of selling plots to desperate land seekers at prices ranging between $300 and $1,000.

Dube, also known as Jealousy, was last week reported to have illegally settled about 700 people on a farm that must accommodate 20 people.

Disgruntled Mthwakazi villagers recently expressed concern that the illegal parcelling of land was threatening pastures reserved for their livestock as Dube was allocating people land in areas reserved for grazing.

They said they had reported Dube to the police on many occasions but no action was taken against him.

Matobo District Administrator, Robert Mzezewa, yesterday said they held a lands committee meeting on Monday to discuss Dube’s case.

He said the committee was committed to seeing justice prevailing in the Mthwakazi land row.

“We’re going to ensure that the culprit is brought to book. We’re still gathering evidence. We want to normalise the situation so that no further illegal allocation of land is done in that area,” said Mzezewa.

He said his team was being assisted by the provincial lands committee and traditional leaders in ensuring that there was sanity in the area.

“Our team will be visiting the area next week. We need to see how to deal with the issue. We’re going to be assisted by the Provincial Lands Committee and Chief Masuku,” he said.

Mzezewa said they are yet to decide on what should be done to those who have been illegally settled on the farm.

He said the provincial lands committee might be forced to change the resettlement model to accommodate the illegal settlers.

“However, the process will be difficult as the illegal settlements are threatening the pastures,” said Mzezewa.

Matobo North councillor for ward 25, Lucy Hlatshwayo, said she has been receiving threats from Dube’s family following the publication of the Fox Farm illegal settlement story by The Chronicle last Monday.

“They’ve been phoning me. Some of the relatives were calling me from as far as South Africa saying I want to get their father arrested. I wish the issue can be resolved so that I can be left in peace,” said Clr Hlatshwayo.

Recently Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko warned land barons that they would be arrested once caught.

The VP was worried about an increase of land barons who are fraudulently selling land.

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