Ultimatum: Govt issues 7-day vacate order to illegal occupants of Gilstone Farm

NewsPoliticsBy Nigel PfundeHARARE– Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, has ordered all people illegally occupying Gilstone Farm to vacate the property within seven days, Express Mail Zim can report.Addressing settlers at the farm on Thursday, Minister Garwe said the government will not tolerate unlawful occupation of State land and warned that law enforcement action will be taken against anyone remaining on the farm after the deadline expires.“The public is therefore advised to shun any land dealings that are not sanctioned by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works,” he said.Garwe has in recent months intensified measures to restore order in the land sector, citing the role of land barons and corrupt officials in parcelling out State land for personal gain.In August 2025, he announced a moratorium on private acquisition of State land for commercial or residential purposes, warning that “any claims of land discovery” were “unrealistic and corrupt”.He directed that no individual or entity should approach the Ministry or local authorities claiming to have identified State land for allocation.The minister has also made clear that officials facilitating illegal land deals will face consequences, stating:“Government and council employees aiding land discoveries, identification shall be disciplined”. Recent clashes and demolitions across the country, including invasions of wetlands and land earmarked for schools and clinics, have brought the need for the ban.Garwe’s latest directive at Gilstone Farm aligns with wider government operations against illegal settlements, which have seen thousands arrested nationwide for occupying gazetted land without authority.He reiterated that land allocation must follow due process and urged the public to shun any land dealings not sanctioned by the Ministry.Leave a ReplyCancel reply NewsPoliticsBy Nigel PfundeHARARE– Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, has ordered all people illegally occupying Gilstone Farm to vacate the property within seven days, Express Mail Zim can report.Addressing settlers at the farm on Thursday, Minister Garwe said the government will not tolerate unlawful occupation of State land and warned that law enforcement action will be taken against anyone remaining on the farm after the deadline expires.“The public is therefore advised to shun any land dealings that are not sanctioned by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works,” he said.Garwe has in recent months intensified measures to restore order in the land sector, citing the role of land barons and corrupt officials in parcelling out State land for personal gain.In August 2025, he announced a moratorium on private acquisition of State land for commercial or residential purposes, warning that “any claims of land discovery” were “unrealistic and corrupt”.He directed that no individual or entity should approach the Ministry or local authorities claiming to have identified State land for allocation.The minister has also made clear that officials facilitating illegal land deals will face consequences, stating:“Government and council employees aiding land discoveries, identification shall be disciplined”. Recent clashes and demolitions across the country, including invasions of wetlands and land earmarked for schools and clinics, have brought the need for the ban.Garwe’s latest directive at Gilstone Farm aligns with wider government operations against illegal settlements, which have seen thousands arrested nationwide for occupying gazetted land without authority.He reiterated that land allocation must follow due process and urged the public to shun any land dealings not sanctioned by the Ministry.

HARARE– Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, has ordered all people illegally occupying Gilstone Farm to vacate the property within seven days, Express Mail Zim can report. Addressing settlers at the farm on Thursday, Minister Garwe said the government will not tolerate unlawful occupation of State land and warned that law enforcement action will be taken against anyone remaining on the farm after the deadline expires. “The public is therefore advised to shun any land dealings that are not sanctioned by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works,” he said.

Garwe has in recent months intensified measures to restore order in the land sector, citing the role of land barons and corrupt officials in parcelling out State land for personal gain. In August 2025, he announced a moratorium on private acquisition of State land for commercial or residential purposes, warning that “any claims of land discovery” were “unrealistic and corrupt”. He directed that no individual or entity should approach the Ministry or local authorities claiming to have identified State land for allocation.

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The minister has also made clear that officials facilitating illegal land deals will face consequences, stating: “Government and council employees aiding land discoveries, identification shall be disciplined”. Recent clashes and demolitions across the country, including invasions of wetlands and land earmarked for schools and clinics, have brought the need for the ban. Garwe’s latest directive at Gilstone Farm aligns with wider government operations against illegal settlements, which have seen thousands arrested nationwide for occupying gazetted land without authority.

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