Matobo traditional leaders on a collision course with War vets

THE controversy surrounding the allocation of Maleme Farm in Matopo has taken a new twist with traditional leaders leading the signing of a petition meant to pressure Government into reversing the decision to gazette the farm for acquisition. The traditional leaders are arguing that the farm has been a part of and has been benefiting the Christian community in the Matabeleland region for more than 50 years.

However, this puts them on a collision course with the leader of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Chris Mutsvangwa who recently warned the traditional leaders in the province to stop meddling in land issues, but to stick to their mandate of safeguarding traditional values.
The petition has been circulating in Matopo and Bulawayo, with organisers also distributing it on the internet.

Farm owner Mr David Cunningham was reportedly given a notice of acquisition and was ordered to have vacated the farm by 1 February. The farm has been allocated to Mr Rodney Mashingaidze.

The farm was initially reduced by two-thirds during the land acquisition in 2000.
However, the recent allocation of the remaining one-third, where the farmer was running a chicken breeding project with the local community, a college of agriculture and a popular camping site, has been met with stiff resistance from Matabeleland South traditional leaders and the local and Christian community.

In the latest development, the chiefs have come together with the community to organise the signing of the petition which they aim to hand over to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Ignatius Chombo, the Chief's Council led by Chief Fortune Charumbira and the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland South, Abednico Ncube.

Senator Chief Nyangazonke Ndiweni, Chief Malaki Masuku and Chief Malaba who have been in the forefront in opposing the acquisition are reportedly leading the petition which is meant to pressure Government from allocating the farm.

In an interview with Sunday News last Friday, Chief Nyangazonke confirmed the circulation of the petition saying since as chiefs they sat in the lands committee they had to have a say on which farm was allocated and whether anything productive was happening on an allocated piece of land.

"We are not rebelling against the Government's decision to gazette this particular farm but we believe since we sit in the lands committee we should be consulted in some of these decisions. What is happening with this particular farm is that when it was gazetted the owner was left with a certain small portion but he continued to fully utilise it, working closely with the community, which is clear for everyone to see.

"This place has given a place where the local community is making a livelihood where they are rearing chicken, which they sell and get the profits. They are not employed there, as has been said but they are working together with this gentleman, who also helps market these chickens. It is my view that someone doing this is clearly benefiting the community," said the chief.

He challenged anyone who felt they were misguided in opposing the allocation to visit the farm and audit what activity had taken place at the portion that was allocated comparing it to the portion which the farmer had been initially left with which was now being allocated.

"This farm has a facility that helps a lot of church organisations on top of this chicken breeding business, why evict someone who is not only giving back to the community but is clearly working with them, which is the reason of this petition.

"What will happen now is that we will meet with the community next week (this week) to see how many people have signed the petition and further come up with a possible way forward," said Senator Chief Ndiweni.

Speaking during a recent war veterans meeting at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic in Gwanda, Mutsvangwa, who is the minister in charge of the welfare of the former freedom fighters, said the chiefs had no mandate in interfering in the matter.

"We respect our chiefs, but you should stop meddling in land issues, as it is not your mandate to do so. Concentrate on tradition. Land is a revolutionary issue. We went to war because of land," said Mutsvangwa.

In the petition, it is noted that the farm, which also houses Shalom campsite has been used for over 50 years by teachers, schools and community groups from across the country.

"We, from around Maleme Farm, are petitioning for the reversal of the acquisition and allocation of Maleme Farm. Maleme Farm has been dedicated to God for the benefit of the community and church in Matabeleland. The farm houses Shalom campsite, which has been used for over 50 years by churches, school and community groups from across the country.

"Ebenezer Trust, which is on Maleme Farm, currently employs over 60 people from the community, in addition, there are 80 chicken farmers who are working with the poultry out-grower scheme which operates through Maleme Farm, producing over 750 000 birds per year and each earning annual profits of between $3 000 and $12 000," reads the petition in part.
It is further alleged that the farm has for the past years been supporting the running of Induna Primary School.

"The operations on Maleme Farm are an integral part of the community and have been so for many years, those signing this petition appeal that the acquisition and allocation of Maleme Farm be reversed," reads the petition.