PDP mourns Professor Sam Moyo

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has learnt with shock and sadness the untimely death of Professor Sam Moyo, the director of African Institute of Agrarian Studies (AIAS), a leading academic, researcher and a giant in agrarian studies.

Professor Moyo died tragically last week when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident in India where he was attending a conference. Like a dedicated fighter in his profession, he died in the battlefield advancing the frontiers of knowledge.

The late Professor Moyo was a passionate pan-Africanist whose goal was for the people of Zimbabwe to achieve social and economic justice; and that there was fair and equitable distribution of land in the country.

He was widely respected academic in Zimbabwe, Africa and globally; and became a world acclaimed authoritative voice on agrarian issues.  Professor Moyo is the founder member and director of AIAS whose aim is to provide objective policy analysis on agrarian issues backed by solid research.  The centre has been able to train researchers, graduate students, policy analysts and activists in agrarian issues.

He was an academic who was totally against the primitive accumulation of land by the Zanu PF regime and his vision was to see that the land distribution exercise totally benefitted the country's citizens through its productive use.

It is regrettable that he died when some of his goals such as the equitable distribution of land were yet to be meant.  The much awaited government land audit exercise is still to be undertaken while the government continues to compulsorily acquire land from productive farmers thereby disrupting agricultural production in some areas.   

The land issue was the core of the liberation struggle and it is unfortunate that Professor Moyo died when there is yet to be closure on the issue through a democratic and participatory process aimed at equitable, transparent, just, lawful and economically efficient distribution and use of land.

The PDP we want to ensure the following; the setting up of an independent Land Commission, as provided for in the Constitution, restoration of collateral security in land, to facilitate sustainable funding of the agricultural sector, granting title to existing farmers, deracialising land ownership and the elimination of multiple land ownership through a land audit.

As the PDP, we console the Moyo family, Professor Moyo colleagues, his students, the people of Zimbabwe and the international community as we say goodbye to Professor Moyo.

May his soul rest in peace!!!