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Fresh wave of farm invasions in Matebeleland
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The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has strongly condemned what it describes as a disturbing resurgence of illegal farm invasions in Matebeleland, accusing ruling ZANU-PF officials and state security agents of orchestrating land grabs in the region.
According to the party, its president, Thembisani Mfulongatshi Mpofu, personally witnessed the escalating crisis during a recent visit to several affected white farmers. The visit exposed a pattern of unlawful takeovers that the MRP says are being carried out with impunity.
Among the farms mentioned is Sentinel in Beitbridge, reportedly seized by former Vice President Kembo Mohadi, and WestAcre Farm along Plumtree Road, which has allegedly been partially taken over by a ZANU-PF member. Other farms, such as Marula Farm Marshlands owned by a farmer identified as Zeitsman, are now under threat. MRP alleges that Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) officials are involved in these activities, and disturbing threats have been made against individuals like Mrs Knott, who has reportedly been warned she will be killed if she does not vacate her land.
The party denounced these invasions as acts of lawlessness and ethnic aggression, warning that citizens of Matabeleland would not tolerate the continued imposition of political and economic dominance from outside the region. "If you want to invade farms, go and do it in Mashonaland. We in Matebeleland will not sit idly by while people come from Mashonaland East to take our land by force," read part of the statement issued by the MRP.
The party pointed to Section 71 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees citizens the right to own property, as being blatantly violated. It also cited international statutes such as Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, both of which protect the right to property.
MRP declared its commitment to defending the rights of all citizens in Matebeleland "by all means necessary," and urged the government to take decisive action against the perpetrators. The party called for an immediate halt to the invasions, the protection of farmers' rights, and the prosecution of those behind the land seizures.
According to the party, its president, Thembisani Mfulongatshi Mpofu, personally witnessed the escalating crisis during a recent visit to several affected white farmers. The visit exposed a pattern of unlawful takeovers that the MRP says are being carried out with impunity.
Among the farms mentioned is Sentinel in Beitbridge, reportedly seized by former Vice President Kembo Mohadi, and WestAcre Farm along Plumtree Road, which has allegedly been partially taken over by a ZANU-PF member. Other farms, such as Marula Farm Marshlands owned by a farmer identified as Zeitsman, are now under threat. MRP alleges that Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) officials are involved in these activities, and disturbing threats have been made against individuals like Mrs Knott, who has reportedly been warned she will be killed if she does not vacate her land.
The party pointed to Section 71 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees citizens the right to own property, as being blatantly violated. It also cited international statutes such as Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, both of which protect the right to property.
MRP declared its commitment to defending the rights of all citizens in Matebeleland "by all means necessary," and urged the government to take decisive action against the perpetrators. The party called for an immediate halt to the invasions, the protection of farmers' rights, and the prosecution of those behind the land seizures.
Source - byo24news
