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Lands Ministry permanent secretary in messy farm ownership wrangle
30 Sep 2021 at 07:08hrs | Views
LANDS, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement permanent secretary, John Basera has approached the High Court seeking to be joined in proceedings in which former Grain Marketing Board chief executive officer Samuel Muvuti is suing government over farm withdrawal.
Muvuti, also a former colonel with the Zimbabwe National Army, is suing government over withdrawal of offer letter to Holmehead Farm in Mashonaland Central province and the case is still pending.
In a latest development, Basera claims to own part of the farm hence the call to be included in court proceedings, in case the outcome affects him.
Muvuti and his wife Joylyn early this year approached the High Court challenging Lands Minister Anxious Masuka's decision to cancel the lease agreement to their 809,36 hectare farm.
Bhasera says he owns part of the farm.
"I am a beneficiary of part of the land which forms the subject of dispute. If I am not joined and am not given the opportunity to be heard, I would have been dealt with in terms of the law, without having been given an audience.
"I have a direct and substantial interest in the proceedings in the main matter and my legal position will be adversely affected if I am not joined on the same and an order is granted therein."
Muvuti last month told the court that Masuka cancelled his offer letter on allegations of failing to utilise the farm.
He asked the High Court to reverse the decision claiming that he is using the farm for commercial purposes.
Muvuti said he was served the notice to withdraw on the 12th of October 2020.
He said he made representations highlighting that the full hectarage was not arable land.
"I particularly stated that more than 400 hectares consists of sand and loamy soils not suitable for any meaningful crop production.
"I say further that since being granted the lease in 2008, 3rd applicant (Holmehead Farm) has productively utilised the arable land to the benefit of the economy as all produce was sold through the Grain Marketing Board. The respondent has not in its termination related to this aspect thereby rendering its decision irrational and unreasonable," he argued.
Muvuti, also a former colonel with the Zimbabwe National Army, is suing government over withdrawal of offer letter to Holmehead Farm in Mashonaland Central province and the case is still pending.
In a latest development, Basera claims to own part of the farm hence the call to be included in court proceedings, in case the outcome affects him.
Muvuti and his wife Joylyn early this year approached the High Court challenging Lands Minister Anxious Masuka's decision to cancel the lease agreement to their 809,36 hectare farm.
Bhasera says he owns part of the farm.
"I am a beneficiary of part of the land which forms the subject of dispute. If I am not joined and am not given the opportunity to be heard, I would have been dealt with in terms of the law, without having been given an audience.
"I have a direct and substantial interest in the proceedings in the main matter and my legal position will be adversely affected if I am not joined on the same and an order is granted therein."
Muvuti last month told the court that Masuka cancelled his offer letter on allegations of failing to utilise the farm.
He asked the High Court to reverse the decision claiming that he is using the farm for commercial purposes.
Muvuti said he was served the notice to withdraw on the 12th of October 2020.
He said he made representations highlighting that the full hectarage was not arable land.
"I particularly stated that more than 400 hectares consists of sand and loamy soils not suitable for any meaningful crop production.
"I say further that since being granted the lease in 2008, 3rd applicant (Holmehead Farm) has productively utilised the arable land to the benefit of the economy as all produce was sold through the Grain Marketing Board. The respondent has not in its termination related to this aspect thereby rendering its decision irrational and unreasonable," he argued.
Source - NewZimbabwe.com
