Zimbabwean Climate Refugees Face Eviction from Resettled Lands

In Zimbabwe's fertile Eastern Highlands, communities displaced by climate change are now living in fear of further upheaval. These individuals, who sought refuge and a chance to rebuild their lives in regions like the Eastern Highlands due to uninhabitable conditions and lost livelihoods elsewhere, are now facing government-led evictions.

The government has declared a renewed crackdown on what it terms "illegal settlers." This campaign targets individuals who have moved to areas like the Eastern Highlands, a region known for its reliable rainfall and arable land, after their previous homes became untenable for farming due to climate impacts. Many of these "settlers" argue they had no other viable options.

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I came here 18 years ago and have lived here ever since. We have nowhere else to go.

Provincial affairs minister Mischeck Mugadza announced a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in land allocation and vowed to intensify legal action against traditional leaders, brokers, and officials involved in unlawful land distribution. He stressed the importance of adhering to environmental impact assessments and protecting ecologically sensitive areas like wetlands, riverbanks, and forests, stating they are "not for sale."

Despite the minister's firm stance on environmental protection and legal compliance, the situation leaves climate refugees in a precarious position. Many, like Llyod Gweshengwe, who has lived in the Eastern Highlands for 18 years, express desperation, stating, "We have nowhere else to go." His successful harvest this year offers a temporary reprieve, but the looming threat of eviction casts a long shadow over their efforts to establish stability.

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There is no tolerance for corruption. The Environmental Management Agency must enforce the requirements of Environmental Impact Assessments and environmental protection laws in ecologically sensitive areas. Wetlands, riverbanks, and forests are not for sale. Traditional leaders must operate strictly within the corridor of the Traditional Leaders Act and report illegal activities to the relevant authorities.