Zimbabwe News Update
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Crime & CourtNewsBy George MakoniBUHERA– More than 50 illegal settlers occupying the Dandavare Wetland in Buhera, mostly members of the St. Nimrod Johanne Marange Apostolic sect, have defied a High Court ruling ordering their eviction. The court had ruled in favor of local traditional leaders who successfully challenged the illegal occupation of the ecologically sensitive wetland.Buhera residents have blamed the degradation of the once-productive wetland on the abuse of office by some politicians and senior traditional leaders accused of facilitating the unauthorized settlements. St.
Nimrod has reportedly assured his followers that “no one will remove them,” claiming to have engaged “the highest offices in the land.”Village Head Abhia Makumbe spearheaded the legal challenge, emphasizing that Dandavare Wetland is vital for water purification, flood control, and sustaining local livelihoods. He lamented the drying of nearby water sources, collapse of Dandavare Dam, and spread of invasive gumtrees, which have devastated the ecosystem.The Community Water Alliance (CWA) described the wetland as severely degraded, citing disrupted water flows, biodiversity loss, and damaged hydrological systems.
The organization is developing a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan through community consultations and expert engagement to guide restoration efforts.CWA has urged affected residents to remain calm and allow due legal processes to unfold, warning against retaliatory or unlawful action as the matter progressesLeave a ReplyCancel reply
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