News / Press Release
ZAPU joins the people to fight Maleme farm invasion
20 Feb 2015 at 05:34hrs | Views
Zapu has joined forces with the Matobo Development Forum of civil society, community and faith based organizations in the Matopo District in Matabeleland South to fight what the communities see as the unlawful and corrupt land acquisitions and the grabbing of established community projects in their area by outsiders, ruling ZANU PF party members and state security operatives.
Mr Mncedidsi Mavuso Tshabalala, the Zapu Organising and Mobilization Secretary for Matabeleland South was in a fighting mood when he said, "we are mobilizing ZAPU members in the affected communities and wards to fight this invasion and to support our traditional Chiefs who have been in the forefront of this fight". The traditional leaders involved are Chief Masuku, Chief Ndiweni, Chief Mathema and Chief Masendu. They have taken the matter to various authorities.
According to the press statement issued by the Matobo Development Forum on 15 February 2015 concerns stem from the acquisition of the Maleme Ranch by a Mr Mashingaidze, a state security employee, the frantic attempts by Hon MP Khanye to grab Big Cave Game Park and lack of transparency in the land allocation in the district. These developments go against the provisions of the Zimbabwe Constitution, human rights and the ruling party's own trumpeted white elephant ZIMASSET (Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Social and Economic Transformation).
The Maleme Ranch is home to many innovative community projects and initiatives which have received acclaim from many sectors of Zimbabwe. The Ebenezer Trust is an initiative by Peter and Renei Cuningham to empower the local community. The Ebenezer farm houses an agricultural training centre which aims to develop Matabeleland as well as greater Zimbabwe through the "Turning Matabeleland Greening Project". There are advanced plans to establish a tomato processing plant and an abattoir. There is also the Shalom Camping Site which is home to numerous transformative Christian initiatives with a wider impact on the development of the region, such as the Family Impact, Christian Aid Taskforce, youth leadership skills development and HIV & AIDS intervention projects. It is believed that Mr Mashigaidze plans to change the use of the ranch to his own business.
The community is determined to stop this Mr Mashigaidze and other greedy individuals from trampling on the local communities' aspirations and initiatives. ZAPU is a party that advocates for the meaningful devolution of power to the people in their communities where the needs, priorities and aspirations of local people are respected and supported.
The ZAPU members in the district fully support the communities in their fight to prevent this kind of abuse of power by ZANU PF members. Members like Mr Nicholas Dube, a former ZAPU candidate in the 2013 election are in the forefront of providing resources and capacity building for the community campaigners. Support is requested from all progressive organisations and individuals.
This kind of abuse of power is not unique to Matobo district. It is happening throughout Zimbabwe. ZAPU calls on all communities affected to fight for devolved democracy which promotes the participation of local people in their own affairs. ZAPU notes that ZANU PF started reaping where it had never sawn from as early as 1982 on ZAPU properties and farms. This culture of impunity is continuing and will continue into the future until it is stopped by the people. Maleme should be the battleground for halting all ZANU PF illegal acquisition of land.
Mr Mncedidsi Mavuso Tshabalala, the Zapu Organising and Mobilization Secretary for Matabeleland South was in a fighting mood when he said, "we are mobilizing ZAPU members in the affected communities and wards to fight this invasion and to support our traditional Chiefs who have been in the forefront of this fight". The traditional leaders involved are Chief Masuku, Chief Ndiweni, Chief Mathema and Chief Masendu. They have taken the matter to various authorities.
According to the press statement issued by the Matobo Development Forum on 15 February 2015 concerns stem from the acquisition of the Maleme Ranch by a Mr Mashingaidze, a state security employee, the frantic attempts by Hon MP Khanye to grab Big Cave Game Park and lack of transparency in the land allocation in the district. These developments go against the provisions of the Zimbabwe Constitution, human rights and the ruling party's own trumpeted white elephant ZIMASSET (Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Social and Economic Transformation).
The community is determined to stop this Mr Mashigaidze and other greedy individuals from trampling on the local communities' aspirations and initiatives. ZAPU is a party that advocates for the meaningful devolution of power to the people in their communities where the needs, priorities and aspirations of local people are respected and supported.
The ZAPU members in the district fully support the communities in their fight to prevent this kind of abuse of power by ZANU PF members. Members like Mr Nicholas Dube, a former ZAPU candidate in the 2013 election are in the forefront of providing resources and capacity building for the community campaigners. Support is requested from all progressive organisations and individuals.
This kind of abuse of power is not unique to Matobo district. It is happening throughout Zimbabwe. ZAPU calls on all communities affected to fight for devolved democracy which promotes the participation of local people in their own affairs. ZAPU notes that ZANU PF started reaping where it had never sawn from as early as 1982 on ZAPU properties and farms. This culture of impunity is continuing and will continue into the future until it is stopped by the people. Maleme should be the battleground for halting all ZANU PF illegal acquisition of land.
Source - ZAPU Europe National People's Council (NPC)
