VILLAGERS at Mutanda villages 3 and 4, Chidamunyu, Nyazura, have slammed Makoni Rural District Council (RDC)’s decision to allocate residential plots on their grazing land, saying the new settlers were destroying their forests.

BY SIMBARASHE SITHOLE

Makoni RDC chief executive officer Edward Pisa refused to comment on the matter, saying he was in a meeting.

Villager told NewsDay yesterday that the land dispute had arisen as a result of the allocations.

“We are not happy with the way our local council is handling the issue of deforestation at Mutanda grazing lands, they are dubiously allocating plots and people are degrading land there,” Wonder Chidhakwa said.

Mutanda village 4 headman Elliot Munetsi said he approached Makoni RDC in 2018 when the chaos began, but to date no action has been taken.

“We have approached many authorities since 2018; the chief is aware, council and police are aware, but no action is being taken. My fear is that soon people will clash over land and blood will be spilled,” lamented Elliot Munetsi.

Chief Chiduku confirmed the development.

“Yes, it is a true story, but you should come on the ground so that we talk,” he said before hanging up.

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