News / National
White farmers resisting eviction face arrest in Zimbabwe
14 Sep 2012 at 11:23hrs | Views
Attorney-General Johannes Tomana says all white commercial farmers who are resisting eviction from their land to pave way for indigenous farmers who have official offer letters as part of the land reform programme should be arrested under the gazetted Lands Consequential Provisions Act.
The case of Mr John Hapazari who is battling to occupy his allocated land at Roseline Farm in Seke district because the former owner, Mr. Grant Patterson is refusing to move out has opened a can of worms as more farmers are reported to be facing the same plight.
Joshua Chakona from Mashonaland West and Cde Onward Kawara are some of the farmers with offer letters who have been facing stiff resistance from white commercial farmers for almost five years.
The Attorney General blamed the relevant ministry for failing to implement the instrumental statutory Number 17 which stipulates that it is a criminal offence for any farmer to stay put on the government acquired land without an offer letter, an offence which attracts a penalty of two years.
Mr Tomana condemned the reluctance on the part of the land resettlement authorities to deal with the former white commercial farmers.
He said it has not only affected the pace of the agrarian reform, but is now threatening to halt the full implementation of the historic programme if not resolved with the urgency it deserves.
Asked about the developments, the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Dr Herbert Murerwa, who could not confirm nor deny the disturbances which have rocked all provinces under the so-called re-planning exercise, said his ministry will verify the issue.
The case of Mr John Hapazari who is battling to occupy his allocated land at Roseline Farm in Seke district because the former owner, Mr. Grant Patterson is refusing to move out has opened a can of worms as more farmers are reported to be facing the same plight.
Joshua Chakona from Mashonaland West and Cde Onward Kawara are some of the farmers with offer letters who have been facing stiff resistance from white commercial farmers for almost five years.
Mr Tomana condemned the reluctance on the part of the land resettlement authorities to deal with the former white commercial farmers.
He said it has not only affected the pace of the agrarian reform, but is now threatening to halt the full implementation of the historic programme if not resolved with the urgency it deserves.
Asked about the developments, the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Dr Herbert Murerwa, who could not confirm nor deny the disturbances which have rocked all provinces under the so-called re-planning exercise, said his ministry will verify the issue.
Source - zbc
