Mnangagwa orders probe into MP's land dispute

Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed Matabeleland South provincial administrator Midard Khumalo and the Joint Operations Command to address the plight of Matobo legislator, Rose Mpofu, who alleges that she is being harassed by the family of a white man who used to own her farm.

Mnangagwa issued the directive during a question and answer session of a constitutional advocacy meeting at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic in Gwanda last Friday. He was responding to Mpofu's plea for intervention at her allocated farm.

He said he was aware of Mpofu's plight as the matter had already been raised with First Lady Grace Mugabe.

"Mpofu, hlala, uhlale, uhlale. Provincial Administrator, I see the members of the JOC are here, can you please make sure you address this matter. Make sure that her offer letter is respected," said Mnangagwa.

He said once a farm has been gazetted for distribution, the holder of an offer letter should conduct his or her operations without any disturbances.

"The farm belongs to Rose Mpofu. I'm aware of that matter because it was raised with the First Lady and she briefed us about it," said Mnangagwa.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Virginia Mabhiza, also responding to Mpofu's pleas, said a holder of an offer letter could initiate an eviction process through the courts.

Mpofu said she was forced to share her Mopani Put Farms with its former white owner, Petros Ludeke, despite her having an offer letter to the property.

The visually impaired legislator said when Ludeke passed away, his body was buried at the property without her consent despite the fact that the white farmer had another farm in Esigodini.

"After the white farmer's death, his son came from Britain and demanded to live on the farm. Their cattle are still grazing at my farm and I'm really appealing for help because I'm visually impaired. Maybe they are taking advantage of that," said Mpofu.

"They had the audacity to bury the white man on the farm that was given to me by the Government, yet they have another one in Esigodini. I fought for the liberation of this country and I think it's unfair that those we were fighting for plundering our resources continue to bring misery to our lives in a liberated Zimbabwe."

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa warned land barons that have taken a lot of money from desperate home seekers that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.

Still on the land issue, Mnangagwa said a new Minister of Provincial Affairs for Matabeleland South to replace Abednico Ncube would be appointed soon.

He said the new Provincial Minister and the lands committee team would be expected to finish the process of acquiring farms and provide land for people.

President Robert Mugabe recently appointed Ncube to the ministry of Rural Development Preservation and Promotion of Culture and Heritage.