Opinion / Columnist
Esidakeni Farm saga threatens to unearth can of worms
17 Jan 2022 at 11:00hrs | Views
The ongoing Esidakeni Farm saga has unearthed a can of worms with the potential of turning into a gigantic scandal.
Prosecutor General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi directed the Zimbabwe Republic Police to investigate the transaction in which OSISA boss Sipho Malunga claims to have acquired the farm and how the farm was sold when it had been compulsorily acquired by the government under the land reform program.
Commenting on the Esidakeni farm saga Political Analyst John Mbizvo said "Sipho Malunga and his associates allegedly did not follow procedure and could have flouted exchange control and tax laws if they indeed bought the farm."
Umguza resident Debra Ngwenya said "Sipho Malunga and his associates have opted to politicize a legal battle by dragging Obert Mpofu into the Centre of the farm saga and building a narrative which claims that Obert Mpofu invaded the farm when he is a legitimate beneficiary among 14 others.
The 14 people who benefited from the land reform program jointly contracted a duly licensed and registered security company to provide security services at the farm. The narrative was then twisted to claim that Obert Mpofu had hired an armed militia."
Conrad Ndimande added that "It is surprising that these headlines always turn up when a Politburo meeting is announced. This Esidakeni Farm saga is a legal battle which should be fought in the courts of law. It is unfortunate that some have turned it political and have chosen to fight it out in the media."
The Esidakeni farm saga is an unfolding drama whose promises to be a scandal in the making.
Prosecutor General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi directed the Zimbabwe Republic Police to investigate the transaction in which OSISA boss Sipho Malunga claims to have acquired the farm and how the farm was sold when it had been compulsorily acquired by the government under the land reform program.
Commenting on the Esidakeni farm saga Political Analyst John Mbizvo said "Sipho Malunga and his associates allegedly did not follow procedure and could have flouted exchange control and tax laws if they indeed bought the farm."
Umguza resident Debra Ngwenya said "Sipho Malunga and his associates have opted to politicize a legal battle by dragging Obert Mpofu into the Centre of the farm saga and building a narrative which claims that Obert Mpofu invaded the farm when he is a legitimate beneficiary among 14 others.
The 14 people who benefited from the land reform program jointly contracted a duly licensed and registered security company to provide security services at the farm. The narrative was then twisted to claim that Obert Mpofu had hired an armed militia."
Conrad Ndimande added that "It is surprising that these headlines always turn up when a Politburo meeting is announced. This Esidakeni Farm saga is a legal battle which should be fought in the courts of law. It is unfortunate that some have turned it political and have chosen to fight it out in the media."
The Esidakeni farm saga is an unfolding drama whose promises to be a scandal in the making.
Source - Thabo Nkiwane
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