Court-Ordered Evictions Begin in Sabonabona as Land Dispute Escalates

By Lloyd Mwale in Kadoma

A property developer has announced that court-ordered evictions of three families in Sabonabona will be carried out today, marking the latest development in a long-running land dispute that has affected residents in the area.
In a public notice dated July 16, Balwearie Holdings (Pvt) Ltd said the Sheriff of the High Court of Zimbabwe would execute eviction orders against Damios Sango and family, Claudious Chidamajaya and family, and Alfred Mapenzura and family.
The company said the evictions follow what it described as the affected families’ failure to regularise their occupation of the land, as well as continued hostility towards the landlord.
Balwearie Holdings urged residents to respect the landlord’s authority and avoid participating in meetings or activities directed against the company.
The notice also encouraged residents wishing to remain on the property to engage the company’s legal representatives, Messrs Tsara and Associates, to negotiate agreements to regularise their occupation. It stated that payment terms for land values could be negotiated and that each application would be assessed individually.
The announcement is likely to heighten tensions in Sabonabona, where land ownership and settlement issues have remained contentious. Court-ordered evictions often affect families’ livelihoods and can leave residents facing uncertainty over housing and security of tenure.
As of the time of publication, Damion Sango family had been evicted from Sabonabona and there was no immediate response from the other two families named in the notice or from their legal representatives.
It also remained unclear whether any appeals or applications to halt the evictions had been filed.
It is reliably understood that some residents tried to stop the evictions of Chidamajaya and Mapenzura by the Sheriff but a quick response by ZR Police Eiffel Flats saved the day and the two families will be evicted tomorrow as more police officers will available to quell any disturbances.
The developments underscore the growing importance of resolving land disputes through legal and negotiated processes, as authorities and property owners seek to balance private property rights with the welfare of affected communities.