White farmers demand more compensation

A section of white commercial farmers who lost their farms to government in the land reform programme have quarried the $42,7 million said to have been paid out as compensation.

They are demanding a breakdown of the amount.

Last week, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said government has to date paid $42,7 million to 43 farms.

However, according to Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) acting director, Marc Carrie-Wilson the amount it too little.

"We don't even know the breakdown of the US$42,7 million. We understand there was a (Administrative Court) judgement in favour of Interfresh in January this year. Government (was ordered to pay US$27 million) to Interfresh as compensation for its citrus estates which were compulsorily acquired. That would have taken much of that amount.

"But it would be interesting to see that breakdown. We would want to see more compensation because it encourages investment into the country.

"Government had always taken the position that they will pay for improvements. But we had never seen it happening. If you acquire something with no intention to pay for it, then it's a disaster" he said.

It is estimated that close to $1 billion is needed to pay over 4 500 former white commercial farmers who were forced off their land to make way for government's land redistribution exercise.