By Wezhira Munya
On the 29th April 2024, the renowned human rights lawyer Advocate Willard Madzimbamuto, despite being recalled by the Citizens Coalition for Change party secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu, successfully intervened to prevent the eviction of Seke constituency members from their land. This legal victory has brought jubilation among Seke Constituency citizens.
Advocate Madzimbamuto, a steadfast supporter of President Nelson Chamisa, stood by the Seke citizens who had voted for him during the elections on August 23, 2023.
During the August harmonized elections last year, Advocate Madzimbamuto made history as one of the few opposition party candidates to win rural parliamentary constituencies.
In 2024, the Zanu PF government, led by President Mnangagwa, initiated an operation to remove all citizens who were deemed to be occupying land illegally.
However, today [April 29, 2024], Advocate Madzimbamuto took legal action to halt the criminal prosecution of several settlers who had been residing on the land for many years. Demonstrating strong leadership, Advocate Madzimbamuto once again came to the aid of residents in the peri-urban area of Seke Constituency. These individuals had been summoned to appear before the Chitungwiza Magistrates Court on charges of allegedly occupying state land without authorization from the Manyame Rural District Council.
Cosmas Murepa, an official representing the Manyame Rural District Council, appeared as its planner in court. The state argued that the accused parties had occupied the land without council authority and had defied prohibition orders served upon them. However, the concerned residents sought the assistance of Advocate Madzimbamuto, who intervened and informed the court that he intended to challenge the charges as there was no legal basis for prosecuting his clients.
After careful consideration and consultation with the Manyame Rural District Council, the state decided to withdraw the prosecution. As a result, all the residents facing charges had their cases removed from the roll on April 29, 2024. This brought immense joy and relief to the affected individuals.
In the meantime, Advocate Madzimbamuto has pledged to continue working for the people of Seke. He has also established a Village Scholarship Fund, which has gained momentum and aims to assist the needy and orphaned individuals in the constituency. Additionally, Advocate Madzimbamuto has initiated various empowerment programs tailored to benefit the youth and women in the area, further showcasing his commitment to the community.
