Land allocation in Matebeleland marginilising locals

Dear Editor,

There seems to be an unfair allocation of land in Matebeleland that continues to go on as if it's acceptable and authorized from some powerful offices. We have been watching with keen interest the unfair allocation of land and prime game farms in Matebeleland. These farms were taken from white commercial farmers and the message was they will be given to the people but alas, it seems there is another powerful section of the population that is establishing itself as the preferred. These are mainly Government officials and some individuals from the military and their relatives. The sad part is that they think people in Matebeleland are stupid and will let them prosper yet they sit timidly and watch. It is imperative for the Government to realize that, an evil or wrong deed is always myopic and works for a short time. Oppressing other human beings always ends in tears. Those that are comfortably allocating themselves land while the owners of the land are pushed aside should know that, this will not last. At some point the evil system will die and it always destroys its own offspring in the process.

We call upon the following parties or organizations to investigate and ensure that people from Matebeleland are given preference  to the farms in their home areas, the same way people in Madhonaland get preferences in their own regions, Vice President Mphoko, Ministers and MPs from Matebeleland, Chiefs in Matebeleland, the Office of the President and all organizations interested in land issues please note that as leaders, you have a responsibility to ensure that there is fair distribution of land. There is a HUGE problem being created in the country and this is likely to create unnecessary conflicts in the near future.

All Game farms in Matebeleland have been parceled out to former and current Security officials , Government officials and their relatives from Regions outside Matebeleland. This is a BIG problem and people should know that the locals are not only watching but discussing ways to address this anomaly. Going to another region and owning the prime land there is not only being myopic, but worse that what those you removed did a century ago, without doubt, tomorrow the locals will chase you out. It is important to underline that the powerful individuals doing this today will not always be powerful. Over the past few years, people have been hounding the likes of Didymus Mutasa about improper land allocation that was done under their watch, the same thing and it is coming to some people that have displaced locals in Matebeleland and taken their land.

There are some unscrupulous corporates that have played a part in this, they have to be exposed and those that are listed in efficient stock exchanges across the world should be exposed.

Please President Mugabe, Vice President Mphoko and all responsible leaders in Zimbabwe, we have thousands of professionals from Matebeleland that have applied for land and have been waiting for years to no avail, some more than a decade. These people also need land, land that is right on their door step is being invaded again. Help manage this time bomb!

Brian Moyo
Tsholotsho