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Sukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
A seventeen-YEAR-OLD orphan was recently left homeless after she was evicted from a plot which she inherited from her parents. The teen, Thanks Sokiri, who is doing Form Four was left to fend for herself at Plot Number 13 in Ward 15, Somabula when her parents died a few years ago. The girl was, however, served with an eviction order recently after the plot, which her parents got under the Land Reform Programme was allocated to another person, Ms Irene Mpofu. The orphaned teen recently visited The Herald offices, with the eviction order. She said a neighbour had accommodated her after her eviction.

“I have been trying to make ends meet following the death of my parents and I have been evicted from the plot, which belonged to my late parents. I have nowhere to go and some neighbours have asked me to come here (The Herald), hoping I would get assistance,” said the sobbing girl.Sokiri said she sought assistance from the local leadership, but to no avail.

“The village head told me his hands were also tied because there was an eviction order. He promised to check with the DA’s office, but the new owner is saying I should move away. This has disturbed even my studies I am stranded,” she said. Gweru District Administrator Mr Langton Mupeta confirmed the development saying both the girl and Ms Mpofu had offer letters for the same plot.

“There was a dispute over ownership of the plot and the matter has been before the courts. I am yet to get the outcome of the case, but I understand the girl has her parents’ offer letter and Ms Mpofu also has an offer letter,” he said. Ms Mpofu said she was not willing to share the plot after she won the court battle.