Mahofa defies Mugabe

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi has accused new Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Shuvai Mahofa of undermining President Robert Mugabe's policy against the continued occupation of farmlands by whites, after she barred him from taking over a farm allocated to him by government under the land reform programme.

Mzembi obtained an offer letter from the Ministry of Lands and Land Resettlement really last month, allowing him to take over part of Barquest Farm in Masvingo.

He has however faced resistance from Mahofa, who is blocking his occupation of 367 51 hectares of the about 900 hectare farm.

Mahofa last week instructed Mzembi to wash his hands despite him being in possession of a government offer letter, effectively blocking him from sett ling on the property.