In Mashonaland West Province, Zvimba East, Cosmas Washayanyika, a black farmer, has found himself caught between the jaws of elite systems capture and the white men’s land repossession agenda. Washayanyika acquired the Lea Farm (178 hectares) under the Zimbabwe Land Reform Programme, only to find himself facing opposition from his neighbor, Carol Gordon, a white farmer with vast land holdings under the trade name Inamo Agric.BackgroundWashayanyika had previously engaged in talks with Gordon, who suggested a joint venture or rental agreement with her colleagues, the Parhams family. However, Washayanyika declined, citing his passion for farming and his son’s expertise in agriculture.
This decision seemed to have displeased Gordon.The DisputeThe Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, allegedly influenced by Gordon and her allies, sought to withdraw Washayanyika’s offer letter and hand over the land to the Zanu PF Women’s League. Washayanyika challenged the decision in court, but the situation escalated, with the Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, reportedly issuing veiled threats against him.Eviction and HarassmentOn July 23, 2025, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) delivered a letter from Gordon, ordering Washayanyika to vacate the farm immediately. The police broke into the farm, and Washayanyika’s family was subjected to harsh conditions.
Gordon’s workers and tractors were also brought in to start work on the farm.Arrest and Court ProceedingsWashayanyika and his son were arrested and charged with arson and threatening Gordon’s workers. However, the police admitted that they had no court order to evict Washayanyika and that the charges were based on Gordon’s reports. The court proceedings revealed that there was a land dispute between Washayanyika and the Zanu PF Women’s League, which was already before the High Court.Questions and ConcernsThis case raises several questions:– Is Zimbabwe suffering from systems and state apparatus capture? – Who is giving Carol Gordon executive powers? – Why is Cosmas Washayanyika targeted? – Is this an issue of land for farming or is there something more sinister involved?ImplicationsThe outcome of this case has significant implications for the current and future generations of Zimbabwe.
If the Gordons continue to wield such powers across the country, what does this mean for the land reform programme and the rights of indigenous people?As Zimbabwe compensates white farmers who claim to have lost properties during the 2000 land reform programme, will people like Washayanyika and others who are losing properties to this new wave get compensation for their losses?The ongoing investigations suggest that there are land battles between white men and indigenous people in almost every community, with lawfare favoring those with money to capture the systems. This may be a sign of a new season and a new revolution on the horizon.Dr Abigale Mupambi is a human rights defender and writes in her own capacity.She can be contacted on +263774903505
Source: Express Mail Zim
