Prosecutor Beatrice Mukaro told the court that Suston Chigarimuneki (67) was paid $3,500 for land by 15 villagers in Muzondo village when he knew that he had no authority to sell the land.
Acting without the consent of Chief Serima nor with approval from Gutu Rural District council officials, Chigarimuneki gave out the land and ordered the beneficiaries to build homes and start farming with the authority of the government.
The matter only came to light last month after officials from the council told the resettled households to vacate the land as it was not designed for farming. The council demolished the settlers’ homes. The 15 reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of Chigarimuneki. He pleaded guilty before magistrate Nyasha Vhitorini.