ZIKO- A dramatic and unsettling scene played out in Ziko Village, under the jurisdiction of Chief Seke in Mashonaland East, when two elderly women stripped naked in public to protest against their neighbour, Bonface Nyangombe, amid a bitter land ownership dispute. The extraordinary demonstration, which stunned local residents, was an act of desperation by the women — Gogo Anna Chick and Gogo Cecilia Chiremba — who said they had run out of options in their years-long battle to protect their land.
According to H-Metro, the two grandmothers resorted to the shocking protest to draw attention to what they described as a grave injustice. They accused Nyangombe of encroaching onto Gogo Chiremba’s land, allegedly expanding his residential stand by illegally annexing part of her property. The women claimed that repeated complaints to local authorities and traditional leaders had yielded no action, forcing them to take drastic measures to make their voices heard.
The land at the centre of the dispute is located in Ziko Village, an area under the administration of the Manyame Rural District Council (RDC). The case has reportedly been brought before Chief Seke, but despite several hearings, no conclusive judgment has been made. Frustrated by the lack of progress, the elderly women said they were left with no choice but to stage a protest in a manner that would command public and official attention.
Eyewitnesses said the Ziko women’s bold action shocked villagers, who gathered to witness the rare event. In traditional Zimbabwean culture, public nudity — especially by elderly women — carries strong symbolic meaning, often seen as a powerful act of cursing or protest against injustice. For many residents, the women’s decision underscored the depth of their anger and helplessness.
Two Elderly Women Go Naked in Protest Over Land Dispute in Ziko Village
The dispute took another twist when allegations surfaced that certain employees within the Manyame RDC may have facilitated Nyangombe’s land grab by issuing fraudulent documents in his favour. Sources allege that Nyangombe may have been aided by corrupt officials seeking to profit from the sale or reassignment of the disputed stand. The claims have triggered outrage within the community, where residents are accusing council officials of siding with powerful land barons and undermining the rights of vulnerable villagers.
In response to the controversy, Gogo Chiremba of Ziko reportedly approached the council for assistance and successfully obtained official documentation proving her ownership of the stand. She is said to have kept all her receipts and offer letters since acquiring the property in 2016. Despite this, Nyangombe maintains that the land legally belongs to him. Speaking to reporters, he insisted that he was in possession of all the necessary paperwork.
“I have an offer letter from the responsible authority, Manyame RDC,” Nyangombe said. “I also have Chief Seke’s confirmation of my ownership of the stand.” He further revealed that he had approached the Chitungwiza Civil Court seeking a protection order against the elderly women, alleging harassment and defamation. The case was expected to be heard on Wednesday.
However, Ziko villagers have largely sided with the two grandmothers, condemning Nyangombe’s actions and accusing him of trying to take advantage of Gogo Chiremba’s advanced age and limited means. “We are very unhappy with what Bonface and his associates, Mushonga and Chikozve, are doing,” said one resident. “They are exploiting this elderly woman because they think she cannot fight back. She has had that stand since 2016 and has all her documents. The CEO of Manyame RDC is aware of this issue, so it is shocking that Bonface still believes he can take her land. This is pure greed.”
The Ziko villager added that the community was losing faith in local authorities, accusing some council officials of colluding with land barons and manipulating records for personal gain. “What is happening here is part of a wider problem — corruption in land allocation,” another resident commented. “Ordinary people, especially the elderly, are being dispossessed while those with money and connections are rewarded. We must stand up to this injustice.”
Amid growing public outcry, sources within the Manyame RDC confirmed that one of the council employees implicated in the dispute has since been transferred to another department, a move interpreted as an internal disciplinary measure. The council, however, has not issued an official statement addressing the allegations of misconduct or corruption.
The naked protest has since sparked national debate, with many Zimbabweans weighing in on social media. Some sympathised with the elderly women, describing their act as a desperate but courageous cry for justice in a system often accused of ignoring the poor. Others, however, expressed discomfort at the use of nudity as a protest tool, arguing that while the women’s frustration was justified, there were more dignified ways to seek redress.
For the people of Ziko Village, the incident remains a stark reminder of the deep-rooted challenges in Zimbabwe’s land administration system — from bureaucratic inefficiency to outright corruption. As the case moves through the courts and Chief Seke’s traditional jurisdiction, residents hope that justice will finally prevail for the two women who felt compelled to bare not just their bodies, but the painful truth of rural land injustice.
Source- iHarare
