Mphoko banana project hits a snag

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko's planned banana plantation projects in Matabeleland north and south have hit a snag following the eviction of white farmer George Watson from Double O Ranch in Gwanda.

Mphoko ignored calls by local resettled villagers in December last year for Watson to be ejected from the property as the farm had been gazetted for distribution.

The villagers alleged that Watson was abusive towards them, not hesitating assaulting villagers who or whose livestock "encroached into his property."

The vice President at the time, told the villagers that he had come to seek technical expertise from Watson on the growing of bananas a as he intended to set up plantations in Binga and Umzingwane districts.

 Watson had already agreed to assist Mphoko with the project but was this week evicted from the farm following a resolution by the provincial lands committee.

Matabeleland South provincial minister Abednicho Ncube confirmed the eviction but would not be drawn into giving details.

"Watson has been evicted form that farm. It had been set aside for land redistribution," said Ncube.

Though under Gwanda district, the area where the farm is located at is predominantly occupied by the Venda speaking people of Beitbridge.