Community Engagement: The Missing Link in Project Induced Displacements in Zimbabwe

This paper focuses on examining the extent of community engagement in relation to project induced displacement in Zimbabwe, where communities across the country have been displaced or threatened with displacement by government and private companies with little or no consultation at all. The author uses Cernea’s Risk and Reconstruction Model of Displacement to identify and describe the negative consequences of displacement absent community engagement, which include landlessness, joblessness, and food insecurity. The paper calls on the government of Zimbabwe and other actors to uphold their legal and moral obligations to the community under relevant African Union and Zimbabwean legal frameworks.

Published on June 6, 2024

Succeed Musora | genida, IDPs, Development-driven, Africa

Zimbabwe. Kariba dam 1994 © Rhys Jones

This paper focuses on examining the extent of community engagement in relation to project induced displacement in Zimbabwe. Various communities across Zimbabwe have been displaced or threatened with displacement by government and private companies with little or no consultation at all. These include displacement in Marange diamond fields, threats of displacement in the Dinde community in Hwange, the Chilonga community in Chiredzi, and the Kaseke village in Uzumba among others This has greatly affected the socio-economic lives of such communities. To examine the negative consequences of displacement without community engagement, the researcher used the Cernea’s Risk and Reconstruction Model of Displacement. It has been highlighted that the communities are facing challenges of landlessness, joblessness, and food insecurity (among others) as a result of development induced displacement. The lack of community engagement in project induced displacement is taking place regardless of the existence of various international and domestic legal frameworks which protect communities in relation to displacement. Such legal frameworks include the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa as well as the Constitution of Zimbabwe [Amendment no. 20]. Therefore, this means government and private companies should respect such legal frameworks in letter and spirit with regards to displacement. As such, it is crucial for government and CSOs to take into account the recommendations highlighted in this paper towards protecting the IDPs in Zimbabwe.

KEYWORDS: Internal Displacement; Projects; Development; Kampala Convention; Zimbabwe

Succeed Musora is a Public Policy Researcher and Governance Practitioner. He is an advocate of public policy and governance for he believes that it is only through sound policies informed by research that societies are governed for the betterment of humanity. He holds an Honours in Politics and Public Management, Midlands State University and a Masters in Public Policy and Governance from Africa University, Zimbabwe.

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