Mangudya wins farm case against government

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya will now get back to his farm in Rusape after the High Court this week ordered the reversal of its compulsory acquisition.

Government erroneously acquired Inyamasitza Farm in Makoni District and allocated it to four new farmers under the land reform programme, in violation of the Constitution and the land reform policy that protects indigenously-owned farms from compulsory acquisition.

High Court judge Justice Samuel Kudya nullified the compulsory acquisition of the farm after it came to light that the farm belonged to Mangudya. Mangudya bought the farm in December 2000 from a white farmer, but Government compulsorily acquired it.

The court reversed Government's decision after the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Douglas Mombeshora admitted that his ministry erred in acquiring the farm.