Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe has warned traditional leaders against illegally selling communal land, saying those involved risk arrest and prosecution.
Nguluvhe made the remarks on Sunday during the official opening of the Tshitaudze Heritage Festival in Beitbridge, following reports that some village heads were allegedly selling communal land for up to R10 000 without government authorisation.
He said traditional leaders had a responsibility to preserve communal land for future generations.
“The headmen must stop selling land for R10 000. They are selling land to people, and they are not authorised to do so. If they continue to do that, I will personally come and deal with them myself, and we will arrest them,” Nguluvhe said.
“If they continue to sell the land, where will their grandchildren stay? We have to preserve our land for our children, and we must stop these headmen from selling land because they are not allowed to do so.”
Nguluvhe said traditional leaders were ultimately responsible for activities taking place within their areas, using an example from Ndebele culture to emphasise the point.
“In the Ndebele culture, if my wife kills a chicken that is not hers, the blame does not go to the wife but to the husband, so the headman must just stop selling land without any authorised approval by the government,” he said.
Nguluvhe also identified infrastructure, funding and market access as key areas that needed attention if cultural festivals were to contribute to local economic development.
“On infrastructure we should improve access roads to cultural sites like Tshitaudze. On funding we should support festivals and artisans through CDF and Devolution Funds. On Market Linkages we should connect local producers to regional and international markets,” he said.
“Beitbridge is not just a border town, it is a gateway. A tourist who buys crafts here will also sleep in our lodges and fuel our economy.”
He called on government departments, ZimTrade, SMEDCO and the private sector to partner small and medium enterprises participating in the festival.
“I call upon Government Departments, ZimTrade, SMEDCO and the private sector to partner with our Small Medium Enterprises (SME). The stall fees of US$10, US$30 and US$50 show this festival is inclusive for the big company and for the grandmother from the village. That is devolution in action,” he said.
Nguluvhe said the government would continue supporting women and SMEs involved in crafts, food processing and agribusiness, while encouraging them to register with relevant organisations.
“To our Women and SMEs, the government sees you. We will continue to support you in crafts, food processing and agri-business. Please register with ZimTrade and SMEDCO so we can help you grow beyond today into exporters,” he said.
He said Matabeleland South’s cultural diversity and liberation heritage could also be used to create economic opportunities for young people.
“Heritage tourism must complement border trade. I invite investors to invest in cultural tourism, accommodation and value addition. Let us turn our liberation heritage sites and living traditions into jobs for our youth,” Nguluvhe said.
Source: Nguluvhe warns headmen against illegal land sales — CITEZW
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