The situation remains tense following an attack on Mufaro Mukaro last week by fellow war veterans and villagers following a land dispute. The farm invaders also torched huts and set two vehicles on fire. The former freedom fighters and villagers have moved on to farms they say were grabbed by senior officials linked to Zanu (PF), who are failing to fully utilise the land. A spokesman for the war veterans, who refused to be named for fear of victimisation, said they would continue invading under-utilised properties and those acquired under “unclear circumstances”.
“We have tried our level best to talk to government ministers and
officials over our concern in the manner some of the farms were acquired, “said the spokesman. “We led the farm invasions in this area – only to be told this year that we should move out to pave way for senior government and party officials. “We are saying no to this corruption and we are determined to continue invading more farms as long as the properties are under-utilised and were acquired through the back door.”
War veteran’s leader Jabulani Sibanda has condemned the invasions and urged the fighters to follow laid down procedures to get land. “We do not condone the farm invasions. But everyone who needs land should be given land,” said Sibanda
Several Zanu (PF) big wigs have farms Masvingo east commercial area – including Justice Minister Emmerson Munangagwa, the late national hero and former army commander General Vitalis Zvinavashe, former Speaker of Parliament Nolan Makombe and Zaka Central legislator Paradza Chakona. Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Douglas Mombeshora has ordered all invaders to move off the farms or risk being moved by the police.
Early this year Mombeshora ordered a land audit in the troubled area, but its contents have never been made public.
Post published in: News
All of these war vets are living in abject poverty just like the rest of us and they are fighting a losing battle if they believe Zanu PF will ever deliver mass prosperity – in this case war vet prosperity! When Zanu PF grandees like the late Nathan Shamuyarira die in abject poverty that say it all. If the war vets think there is enough loot for them when there is nothing for the party grandees then they clearly are daydreamers.
What these war vets have completely failed to see is that the Zanu PF economic model was always doomed to fail. What these war vets must now accept is that they are not above the law as they have been made to believe by their Zanu PF handlers. If they have a bone to chew with their handlers they must take that up with the party and not pick innocent people. They continued lawlessness is not going to be tolerated!