VP Mphoko directs Ncube to settle Beitbridge land row

VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko has directed Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Minister Abedinico Ncube to solve a wrangle over Magwamazi Ranch in Beitbridge District between resettled villagers and a white farmer, George Watson.

Former Zanu-PF Matabeleland South chairperson Lloyd Siyoka accused Ncube's predecessor, Angeline Masuku of protecting Watson whom he said was occupying the land illegally.

VP Mphoko had visited Ncube at his Gwanda government offices where he also addressed civil servants and Zanu PF members before proceeding to Magwamazi Ranch to learn about Watson's 25 hectare banana plantation project.

The VP intends to set up similar banana plantations in Matabeleland North's Binga District and Mtshabezi in Matabeleland South for the people.

"We're thinking of having a similar project in Binga. I would have gone to Nyanga but I chose this place because of similar climatic conditions with Binga. We want to establish another one close to Mtshabezi Dam," said VP Mphoko.

After getting a briefing on the technical aspects of setting up a banana plantation, VP Mphoko invited questions from a small crowd that was present which included Siyoka, party members, war veterans and members of the provincial Joint Operations Command.

"This person (Watson) lost this farm after it was given out for redistribution. He was given an eviction letter but ignored all that. The law requires one to have a lease, offer letter and certificate depending on the size of land one occupies but this man does not have any documentation," alleged Siyoka.

He said Watson disappeared for three years after being served with an eviction notice before coming back to terrorise villagers resettled on the farm.

"The dam (used to irrigate bananas) that he is talking about was built by the  DDF (District Development Fund) but his (Watson) father grabbed the dam and nothing happened to him because he was married to Ian Smith's sister," said Siyoka.

He said Watson had caused the arrest of villagers who tried to put down a perimeter fence he had erected so that their livestock could access grazing land.

He said some of those who were arrested were out on bail.

"He used to work closely with the former Governor Angeline Masuku who was defending him that is why she was recently rejected by the people in the Central Committee elections," said Siyoka

VP Mphoko acknowledged Siyoka's complaints but said his initial visit was focused on the banana plantation.

"I would urge Ncube to look into this issue. Can you look at the matter as an elder and make sure that people live harmoniously among each other," he said.

He called on Ncube to make sure that villagers arrested over the wrangle are freed.

Ncube said when the land reform started he was the legislator for the area and made sure people from neighbouring Beitbridge got land on the farm.

He said the farm was initially 10,000 hectares but was reduced to 2,000 with the large chunk distributed among locals.

"As a province, all we want is to live harmoniously among each other. We have sat as the Provincial Lands Committee and agreed on a number of things that I won't mention in front of the media," said Ncube.

He said the province had started reducing some farms to accommodate people but was getting calls from senior government officials protesting the move.

The farm is not new to controversy.

In August 2011, Watson and his wife Elaine du Plooy were fined for assaulting and setting dogs on two herdboys looking for stray donkeys in their ranch.

In June of the same year Watson was arrested for smashing his workers' tin houses and set their belongings on fire as punishment for failing to drive away cattle that had strayed onto the property.

Watson has had a long-standing dispute with villagers from the nearby Siyoka, Madzive, Majini and resettled areas over grazing land and a natural water drinking point.