The government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving an 18-year land dispute between Pfugari Properties and over 6,000 residents in Whitecliff, following concerns raised by Zvimba East Legislator Kudakwashe Mananzva.
In a letter dated February 4, 2025, addressed to National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda, Mananzva sought an update on the ongoing dispute, citing confusion among residents due to contradictory directives from government officials.
“I am writing to your good office and authority humbly requesting an update over the way forward on Whitecliff beneficiaries pay-scheme as per our previous correspondence. The people in Whitecliff are now confused over the way forward as some of your officers in the ministry are urging and directing people to go and make individual agreements with Mr. Pfugari outside mediation of the central government through the Ministry of Local Government.
“Our people are specifying a Mr Nhoro as the officer directing them the move which has caused problems in Whitecliff. As the Member of Parliament responsible for Whitecliff residents, I have been asked to answer this confusion hence the need to write to you,” Mananzva said in his letter.
The dispute dates back to the early 2000s when land in Whitecliff was allocated for housing under the government’s Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle project as part of the fast-track land reform program.
However, businessman Eddies Pfugari challenged the allocation in court, claiming ownership of the land.
Responding to Mananzva’s inquiry, the Minister of Housing Soda Zhemu acknowledged the challenges posed by the legal dispute, saying “Unfortunately, this allocation was challenged in court by Mr. Eddies Pfugari, who claimed ownership of the land as an indigenous Zimbabwean. The court’s decision came after the government had already approved development plans and allocated the land to beneficiaries, leading to the current predicament.”
The Minister further assured residents that efforts to resolve the situation were ongoing.
“We acknowledge the distress this situation has caused among the Whitecliff community, and we are actively working to resolve it. Efforts to compensate Mr. Pfugari or identify alternative land of equivalent value have not yet yielded success. However, we have escalated this matter to the Cabinet through the Office of the Chief Secretary, along with a proposed model to effectively address these challenges.” he said
The Minister confirmed that a resolution is being sought at the highest level.
“We are currently awaiting guidance from the Cabinet and are committed to resolving this issue in a manner that upholds the rights of the beneficiaries while addressing the legal implications brought forth by Mr. Pfugari’s claim,” the Minister said.
During a meeting with Whitecliff residents on Sunday, Mananzva urged the community to collaborate with the government in resolving the matter and to be wary of fraudulent land deals.
“I am here to deliver government’s message. Please, let’s work closely with the government in addressing this matter and chuck out land barons who came in the name of Associations purporting to represent government or local authority. Let’s work together in exposing them,” Mananzva told residents.
With the government’s latest assurances, hope among Whitecliff residents remains that a lasting resolution will soon be reached.
