Court kicks out Obert Mpofu from the farm

ESIDAKENI Farm directors were on Monday granted $10 000 bail each when they appeared before a Tsholotsho magistrate facing charges of unlawful occupation of the property.

The three co-directors of Kershelmar Farms Private Limited, also known as Esidakeni Farm in Nyamandlovu are prominent human rights lawyer Siphosami Malunga, Zephaniah Dhlamini and Charles Moyo.

Nyamandlovu police arrested Dhlamini and Moyo last week for unlawful occupation of the property.

Their lawyer, Josephat Tshuma yesterday confirmed the development saying Malunga had to fly from his South African base to attend court.

"They appeared before a Tsholotsho magistrate on Monday and were remanded on $10 000 bail each for trial on September 6," Tshuma said.

"We challenged the charges on three fundamental issues that were defective in that there was no written notice for the clients to vacate the farm, and the validity of the gazetting of the farm.

"According to the law, gazetting of the farm must be set aside and the purported offer letter must be set aside," he said.

Tshuma said Zanu-PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu who claims ownership of the farm together with his company Mswelangubo Farm Private Limited and others, were ordered out of the farm within 24 hours; failure  which the Sheriff would move them out and restore possession to the trio. The farm has been at the centre of a protracted dispute with Mpofu and Dumisani Madzivanyathi also claiming ownership of it.