News / National
Joshua Nkomo criticised Mnangagwa over ZIPRA properties
21 Mar 2011 at 05:36hrs | Views
Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) are in a dispute with Hosea Mapondera, the former director general of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
They claim that the double storey house occupied by Mapondera in Gunhill is among several properties seized by the government from ZIPRA in the 1980s after the Gukurahundi massacres in Matebeleland and Midlands provinces.
Mapondera, a relative of President Mugabe has dismissed these claims and says ZIPRA have no papers to back these claims. ZIPRA claim the Minister of Defense Emmerson Mnangagwa knows the truth about the matter.
In a letter dated December 29 1995, Nkomo accused Mnangagwa of playing hide-and-seek regarding the return of Nkomo's and Zipra's properties.
"His Excellence the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde RG Mugabe directed you to discuss the modalities of the return of my properties to me," wrote Nkomo.
"It would however seem that you have been prevaricating on the subject, absenting yourself whenever I call you to discuss that issue with me."
Nkomo attached the list of properties which included the Gunhill house.
The late VP also wanted the government to settle his debts accrued as a result of the seizure of the properties and wrote to say, "You are also in possession of my financial statements indicating my indebtedness to several financial institutions including commercial banks. This came about as a result of the seizure of my properties and I will therefore expect you to settle these debts."
He demanded that this be met by January 1 1996 but in a letter of response on January 26 1996, Mnangagwa confirmed the return of Nkomo's ranches including Walner Ranch in Kezi, Matabeleland.
"As regards any other property, there has never been instruction to change ownership," Mnangagwa said.
Authoritative sources said the issue of Zipra properties had also taken centre stage in the government of national unity with some Zipra commanders having written to both Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai demanding that the properties be returned.
They claim that the double storey house occupied by Mapondera in Gunhill is among several properties seized by the government from ZIPRA in the 1980s after the Gukurahundi massacres in Matebeleland and Midlands provinces.
Mapondera, a relative of President Mugabe has dismissed these claims and says ZIPRA have no papers to back these claims. ZIPRA claim the Minister of Defense Emmerson Mnangagwa knows the truth about the matter.
In a letter dated December 29 1995, Nkomo accused Mnangagwa of playing hide-and-seek regarding the return of Nkomo's and Zipra's properties.
"His Excellence the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde RG Mugabe directed you to discuss the modalities of the return of my properties to me," wrote Nkomo.
Nkomo attached the list of properties which included the Gunhill house.
The late VP also wanted the government to settle his debts accrued as a result of the seizure of the properties and wrote to say, "You are also in possession of my financial statements indicating my indebtedness to several financial institutions including commercial banks. This came about as a result of the seizure of my properties and I will therefore expect you to settle these debts."
He demanded that this be met by January 1 1996 but in a letter of response on January 26 1996, Mnangagwa confirmed the return of Nkomo's ranches including Walner Ranch in Kezi, Matabeleland.
"As regards any other property, there has never been instruction to change ownership," Mnangagwa said.
Authoritative sources said the issue of Zipra properties had also taken centre stage in the government of national unity with some Zipra commanders having written to both Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai demanding that the properties be returned.
Source - Byo24NEWS
