MASVINGO Self-styled war veterans who spearheaded the chaotic land invasions of white-owned farms in 2000, are set to lose the farmhouses they grabbed.In an ironic case of what goes around comes around, the farms are to go to pave the way for clinics and schools, in a move that has raised the ire of the militant movement.
The decision has led to a clash between Masvingo Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Clemency Makwarimba, who is also a Zanu (PF) central committee member, and war veterans.
Makwarimba said: We are doing feasibility studies for clinicsthe community applied to us and requested to have clinics. We are just enforcing government policy, which says that priority should be given to development. We have earmarked three places, but we have not yet approached anyone to say that we are taking their farmhouse.
Although the provincial chairman of the war veterans, retired Colonel Josphat Rupuwu, could not be reached for a comment, two affected war vets said they were planning to meet the provincial governor and resident minister, Titus Maluleke, to register their displeasure over the matter.
It is President Mugabe who told us to move into farms and take everything. So why then should we be kicked out of these houses? It is defying the cause of the land invasion.
So far, the council has already taken Yottum Farm, 60 kilometres east of Masvingo Town along the Masvingo-Mutare highway, and very soon we will be targeted. We are going to see the governor over the issue, said one furious war vet.
But Makwarimba insisted no farmhouse had been taken yet. He also said council had not met any resistance so far.
Post published in: News