Brenna Metendere
Mvuma—Residents of Mushenjere village in rural Mvuma, Midlands province, have been coerced by suspected state security agents into accepting inadequate compensation for displacements from their ancestral land to facilitate a US$1.5 billion steel production project by Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco), a Chinese firm.
The project, one of the largest of its kind in Africa, has sparked outrage among villagers who claim they were forced to sign consent forms for compensation arbitrarily set by Dinson and the government.
The compensation package includes a flat fee of US$1,500 for land preparation, despite decades of improvements made by the villagers.
However, the relocation houses have already developed cracks, reminiscent of those at Singleton Farm, which were condemned by the government in December last year.
Farmers argue that the compensation undervalues their properties, which they have developed over approximately 40 years, and are demanding that the land preparation fee be increased to at least US$5,000.
The property evaluation was conducted by officials from the Lands ministry, but villagers were not given the opportunity to negotiate or consult lawyers.
One villager who preferred anonymity fearing victimisation recounted being intimidated Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents into signing the forms, while another lamented that elderly farmers were denied time to seek legal advice.
“I was forced to sign against my will (by CIO agents). Seven CIOs from Mvuma have been intimidating us.
“On the first day they came, I refused because I did not agree that the buildings I constructed at my homestead were going to be compensated with just one house built for me at the new relocation site,” said the villager.
“I took one lands officer to my homestead hoping that he would appreciate my concern but he did not care at all.
“He told me that others have already signed and I was not going to win against government just by myself. So, I was forced to sign and one of the officers signed as a witness,” added the villager.
Another villager added: “Pleas by the elderly farmers for them to be allowed reasonable time to consult lawyers and their learned children on the contents of the compensation forms were ignored.”
James Mupfumi, director of the Centre for Research and Development (CRD), highlighted the farmers’ protracted struggle to defend their land rights, citing arrests, intimidation, and death threats by state agents, political elites, and government officials.
He criticised the government for using colonial-era land tenure laws that grant ministers discretionary powers over compensation, arguing that this violates constitutional human rights provisions and UN guiding principles.
“These farmers have been arrested, intimidated and some threatened with death by CIO agencies, political elites and government officials alike that have interests in Dinson mining in Manhize.
“The government is weaponising archaic and colonial land tenure laws that empower the responsible minister with discretionary powers on compensation. The policy violates constitutional provisions on human rights and UN guiding principles,” he said.
Mupfumi decried that villagers were never given an opportunity to consult.
“Those who tried to resist saw CIOs lingering around them. This paltry figure is supposed to also meet their land preparation costs and food,education and transport for their families at the new relocation site,” he said.
Obert Jiri, permanent secretary in the ministry of lands, agriculture, fisheries, water, and rural development, however, stated that the valuation was fair and conducted in collaboration with the local government ministry.
He encouraged aggrieved farmers to appeal to the compensation committee, which he leads, for reconsideration.
“I think the valuation was done properly but it’s just that you will find out that a farmer with a two-roomed house in their compound would nudge for an astronomical figure for compensation.
“However, they are free to lodge an appeal at the compensation committee that I happen to lead and if their papers come to our office we will give due consideration,” he said.
Jiri added: “What makes him think that the valuation of properties was fair is that it was done by his ministry in collaboration with offices from the local government ministry. At one time, Dinson actually complained that the figures of compensation we had come up with were too high and I had to stand my ground to ensure they remain.”
The affected farmers have a history of harassment by state security agents.
On 14 July 2022, approximately 100 residents of Inhoek Farm protested against Disco, citing degrading treatment, including arbitrary land dispossession, loss of agricultural productivity, severe food shortages, and the inability to meet basic family needs.
Following the demonstration, those involved were pursued by state agents and forced to hide in the mountains for weeks.
Earlier, on 9 February 2024, seven women with infants were taken from Mushenjere Village on Inhoek Farm in Manhize by four state security agents.
They were transported to Mvuma Police Station and detained overnight on allegations of illegal settlement.
Twelve others were arrested and appeared at Mvuma Magistrates’ Court on 14 February, facing the same charge.