The land invasions plague The quest or a lasting land governance solution

Abstract

The Fast Track Land Reform Programme in Zimbabwe could be said to have come to an end but, it was followed by another wave of land occupation that was more serious and damaging to the economy and the image of the country. The land invasions in Zimbabwe are largely seen as unlawful with land invading adversely affecting the commercial farming in Zimbabwe. The article critically explores how the land invasions have become a plague to the country reversing the government land reform and government Western reengagement drive. The article is premised on the argument that; land invasions have a more damaging impacts on the national development strategy as it makes investors shun investing in the country because of lack of land tenure security. The study used a qualitative methodology and secondary data as the source of the data. The study revealed that land invasions are rampant in Zimbabwe with most of the state land under threat of being invaded resulting in the loss of grazing lands. The study show that the some of the land invasions are government sanctioned against perceived enemies of the state that are vocal against the state human rights violations. The study concludes that land invasions remain a thorn in the flesh haunting the post-colonial governments showing that the liberation struggle land question was not fully addressed after the independence attainment.