Mashonaland Central Bureau
Bindura Municipality has demolished an illegal settlement at Chanaka along the Bindura-Mt Darwin Road.

The settlement was created by people who were evicted from Senator Damian Mumvuri’s farm following a court order.

The illegal settlers had been staying on the roadside with neither water, nor ablution facilities for the past two years.

It however, emerged that most of the illegal settlers, who were moved from the farm, were no longer staying by the roadside and were renting their tents to other people including illegal gold panners and prostitutes.

Bindura town clerk Mr Shangwa Mavesera said the settlement was now a health risk.

“The settlement had become an eyesore,” said Mr Mavesera.

There was also an increase in theft cases, especially in surrounding farms and vandalism of irrigation equipment.

“Chanaka area, which falls under Cleverhill suburb and shares a boundary with the farm of the late Governor for Mashonaland Central Cde Ephraim Masawi has always caused us a headache,” he                    said.

“We failed to service the area due to the haphazard and clustered nature of the settlement and we stopped the process. We were worried about the health of the people, especially now that we are fighting Covid-19.

“On the other hand, illegal gold panners were causing land degradation digging everywhere, even on people stands.”

Council also cleared squatters at Bindura Rural District Councils premises on the outskirts of Bindura along Mt Darwin Road.

With the assistance of the police, Mr Mavesera said they have also cleared squatters at farms along Mazowe River who were harbouring illegal gold panners.