The Secretary for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, has raised alarm over widespread corruption in rural land allocation, which he described as a growing national security threat.
Speaking out on the concerning trend, Muguti highlighted the illegal takeover of communal grazing lands, dip tanks, and other public spaces by individuals colluding with traditional leaders and council officials.
“What is happening in rural areas is worrying. Grazing fields and even dip tanks are being taken over by individuals colluding with traditional leaders and council officials,” Muguti said, warning that these illegal land deals are rampant across the country.
Muguti stressed that many Zimbabweans have witnessed their rural communities being sold off piece by piece, as private developments such as buildings, service stations, churches, houses, and roads are cropping up in areas not designated for such purposes.
“The level of corruption in this country is now indeed a security threat. Many citizens and government officials are colluding to commit corruption,” he said.
Muguti’s remarks reflect a deepening crisis where public resources and land meant for communal use are being repurposed for personal profit, often to the detriment of rural populations who rely on these spaces for their livelihoods.
He called for an urgent crackdown on corrupt land dealings, noting that allowing the situation to persist would have long-term consequences on rural development and national security. “It’s time we clean this rot,” Muguti urged, calling for a collaborative effort from both government and citizens to tackle the issue.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has seen an increase in reports of land corruption, particularly in rural areas where enforcement of land use regulations is often weaker. The involvement of traditional leaders, who are supposed to safeguard communal land, has made the problem more complex, as their influence over rural communities is substantial.
The government has previously pledged to take action against corrupt officials involved in land deals, but Muguti’s statement signals a need for more aggressive intervention to restore order and protect public land.
This warning comes at a time when the government is under increased scrutiny for its handling of corruption cases, with many citizens calling for stricter enforcement of laws to curb such illegal activities.
