News / National
UK based Zimbabweans petition govt over land
16 May 2014 at 06:41hrs | Views
SOME Zimbabweans in the Diaspora have petitioned Government to assist them acquire farming land in a development reflecting a major change in discourse and attitude towards tenure reforms by a constituency that has generally condemned the programme.
The Zanu-PF government embarked on fast-track land reforms in 2000, and many people did not apply for land after buying critics' claims that the programme was a gimmick or would only benefit ruling party bigwigs.
In a letter to Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora - and copied to Vice President Joice Mujuru - the group of 200 United Kingdom-based Zimbabweans said they would like to contribute to the success of Zim Asset by investing in agriculture.
The 200 are among a group reported on by our Harare Bureau recently alleging that corrupt officials had duped them of a lot of money by claiming to be able to assist them to get farms for cash payments.
Their representative, Shylock Muyengwa, said: "We are writing to ask to you to assist the committed team of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to acquire farming land. In recent years we have been lured into bogus land application schemes by notable individuals that have failed to deliver on their promises.
"Our case was reported in The Herald on 22 April 2014 titled '240 duped in land for cash scandal". The story was covered again in The Herald on the 28th of April 2014 titled 'Makoni land probe begins'.
"Our case represents a constant frustration of investment attempts by the Zimbabwean Diaspora as is the case in many sectors of the economy including the property market and transport industry."
They went on: "We represent a patriotic Diaspora community that is keen to invest in our country, in particular, to invest in farming. We feel our efforts will contribute to the revival of the Zimbabwe economy and form an integral part of Zim Asset."
They said they had the means and capacity to productively use the land but the challenge lay in acquiring farms.
"With this letter, we hope your office will realise our serious commitment to invest in farming and also to assist us by ensuring we gain access to land, have the opportunity to use the land productively and contribute towards government's efforts to revive the agriculture sector.
"In addition, we request that you set up an office that deals with committed Zimbabweans in the Diaspora in order to facilitate access to land and also mobilize resources in the farming sector."
Efforts to get a comment from Dr Mombeshora were fruitless yesterday.
Minister of State in Vice President Mujuru's Office Sylvester Nguni said he was yet to see the petition.
Sources yesterday said representatives of the group had met Dr Mombeshora.
"He advised that we apply for land through his offices and that those that were duped while trying to access land must report the matter to the police which we have done and a docket has since been opened," one source said.
The Zanu-PF government embarked on fast-track land reforms in 2000, and many people did not apply for land after buying critics' claims that the programme was a gimmick or would only benefit ruling party bigwigs.
In a letter to Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora - and copied to Vice President Joice Mujuru - the group of 200 United Kingdom-based Zimbabweans said they would like to contribute to the success of Zim Asset by investing in agriculture.
The 200 are among a group reported on by our Harare Bureau recently alleging that corrupt officials had duped them of a lot of money by claiming to be able to assist them to get farms for cash payments.
Their representative, Shylock Muyengwa, said: "We are writing to ask to you to assist the committed team of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to acquire farming land. In recent years we have been lured into bogus land application schemes by notable individuals that have failed to deliver on their promises.
"Our case was reported in The Herald on 22 April 2014 titled '240 duped in land for cash scandal". The story was covered again in The Herald on the 28th of April 2014 titled 'Makoni land probe begins'.
"Our case represents a constant frustration of investment attempts by the Zimbabwean Diaspora as is the case in many sectors of the economy including the property market and transport industry."
They said they had the means and capacity to productively use the land but the challenge lay in acquiring farms.
"With this letter, we hope your office will realise our serious commitment to invest in farming and also to assist us by ensuring we gain access to land, have the opportunity to use the land productively and contribute towards government's efforts to revive the agriculture sector.
"In addition, we request that you set up an office that deals with committed Zimbabweans in the Diaspora in order to facilitate access to land and also mobilize resources in the farming sector."
Efforts to get a comment from Dr Mombeshora were fruitless yesterday.
Minister of State in Vice President Mujuru's Office Sylvester Nguni said he was yet to see the petition.
Sources yesterday said representatives of the group had met Dr Mombeshora.
"He advised that we apply for land through his offices and that those that were duped while trying to access land must report the matter to the police which we have done and a docket has since been opened," one source said.
Source - The Herald
