The deal, to cost about $20 million, will see Tongaat Hulett surrendering part of its land to 138 beneficiaries – mostly ruling party supporters – including the chiefs. Analysts have condemned the move arguing that it was vote buying. “It is a clear case of trying to buy votes because traditional leaders who would be given plots will be loyal and force people to vote for Zanu (PF) come election time,” said an analyst who requested anonymity.
The ruling party had been accused over the years of intimidating traditional leaders to force their subjects to vote for Zanu (PF) during election time. In addition to the sugar cane plots some traditional leaders have already been given new vehicles following an order from Mugabe. “In my few days in office I have managed to engage Tongaat and they are very helpful,” said Shuvai Mahofa, the new minister of state for Masvingo Province. “They are going to clear 4000 hectares of land. “We want to thank all the chiefs for the crucial work they did to ensure that our party won in 2013 and this is just a reward,” she said. She said that she would soon institute investigations on all controversial land allocation deals and had ordered that former party heavyweights in the province should be probed for abuse of office.
“I am not going to leave any stone unturned in making sure that those who were leading the party in Masvingo are investigated and punished for any wrong things they committed during land allocation,” said Mahofa.
Tongaat Hulett’s managing director Sydney Mutsambiwa confirmed the deal, adding that clearing of the land to benefit chiefs has already been completed. Sugar cane production remains one of the most viable businesses in the country to date. War veterans and traditional leaders in Masvingo had accused government of dragging its feet in giving them sugar cane plots.
Former freedom fighters at one time invaded the sugar estates, but were forcibly removed by riot police.
Post published in: News