News / Regional
Mugabe's top aide exposed
17 Sep 2014 at 07:02hrs | Views
ONE of President Robert Mugabe's top aides Ray Ndhlukula who is trying to grab a Figtree farm from a commercial farm reportedly owns two other farms in Matabeleland South, it has been revealed.
Ndhlukula, the deputy chief secretary to the president and Cabinet, is in the process of seizing Centenary Farm owned by David Connolly despite a High Court order barring him from interfering with operations at the property.
Connolly recently brought the top civil servant to the High Court seeking to have him charged with contempt of court.
Ndhlukula is challenging the court application saying he was given the farm by Mugabe.
The government says it is against multiple farm ownership and Mugabe often threatens to deal with culprits, but no one has been punished.
Connolly said vehicles from Ndhlukula's other farms had been used to ferry equipment and invaders to his farm.
"I am also aware that Ndhlukula has other farms including Wildred Hope's farm in Marula and Vlakfontein – otherwise known as subdivision 2 of Marula Block while I do not have any other farm," he said in a statement yesterday.
Connolly said he was worried that he would be evicted without compensation in contravention of the Constitution.
"Even if the Zimbabwe courts were to ultimately rule in favour of Ndhlukula taking over my farm, I am concerned that if I were to be evicted, violently or otherwise, there would be no compensation despite Zimbabwe law saying that I should be compensated," he said.
The farmer said the invaders claming to be Ndhlukula's sons were causing havoc at the property disturbing farming operations.
"On September 14, the Ndhlukula invaders took irrigation pipes from my 300 000 onions that still need to be irrigated," Connolly added.
"My pipes were taken to the field where they were doing land preparation.
"We have 50 000 cabbage seedlings due to be planted out later this week which we will not be able to plant out if this lawlessness continues.
"They then slept on the verandah of my homestead where they have been sleeping ever since."
The government has often said land invasions are over as it battles to restore investor confidence battered by the lawlessness that has characterised the land reform exercise since 2000.
Ndhlukula, the deputy chief secretary to the president and Cabinet, is in the process of seizing Centenary Farm owned by David Connolly despite a High Court order barring him from interfering with operations at the property.
Connolly recently brought the top civil servant to the High Court seeking to have him charged with contempt of court.
Ndhlukula is challenging the court application saying he was given the farm by Mugabe.
The government says it is against multiple farm ownership and Mugabe often threatens to deal with culprits, but no one has been punished.
Connolly said vehicles from Ndhlukula's other farms had been used to ferry equipment and invaders to his farm.
"I am also aware that Ndhlukula has other farms including Wildred Hope's farm in Marula and Vlakfontein – otherwise known as subdivision 2 of Marula Block while I do not have any other farm," he said in a statement yesterday.
"Even if the Zimbabwe courts were to ultimately rule in favour of Ndhlukula taking over my farm, I am concerned that if I were to be evicted, violently or otherwise, there would be no compensation despite Zimbabwe law saying that I should be compensated," he said.
The farmer said the invaders claming to be Ndhlukula's sons were causing havoc at the property disturbing farming operations.
"On September 14, the Ndhlukula invaders took irrigation pipes from my 300 000 onions that still need to be irrigated," Connolly added.
"My pipes were taken to the field where they were doing land preparation.
"We have 50 000 cabbage seedlings due to be planted out later this week which we will not be able to plant out if this lawlessness continues.
"They then slept on the verandah of my homestead where they have been sleeping ever since."
The government has often said land invasions are over as it battles to restore investor confidence battered by the lawlessness that has characterised the land reform exercise since 2000.
Source - Southern Eye
