Opinion / Columnist
MDC Renewal condemns eviction of villagers in Mazowe
08 Jan 2015 at 16:16hrs | Views
The MDC strongly condemns the on-going displacements of hundreds of villagers at Manzou Farm in Mazowe, which is meant to make way for Grace Mugabe.
The evictions are not only heartless but also unconstitutional as they violate basic human rights as defined in our national constitution. In addition the displacements are in violation of a High Court ruling passed last year which barred the eviction of people without the provision of alternative accommodation by the government.
That these displacements are happening in the rainy season is a chilling reminder of the heartlessness of the government, itself a shameful indictment of the First Lady and President Mugabe as the evictees risk having their belongings destroyed by the rains. The illegal evictions are also taking place when the affected villagers have a thriving crop in the field, which they are being forced to abandon. Such callousness evokes memories of the 2005 Murambatsvina when the same government destroyed people's homes leaving over 700 000 people homeless in a cold winter.
Furthermore, the removals are taking place when schools are reopening next week and as a result scores of children of school going age will be affected by the move. We have also received reports that the police are using heavy handed methods in removing the people and we deplore such actions
What is happening in Manzou is a clear indication that Zanu-PF, and in particular First Lady Grace Mugabe, has no sympathy for the poor and disadvantaged people of Zimbabwe. It is now clear that the First Lady's is only keen on expanding her already vast business empire and has no respect for the law and human life. The same Grace Mugabe has in recent years seized a number of commercial farms in Mazowe, which has resulted in thousands of workers losing their jobs and being evicted from their homes.
The current land seizure by Grace Mugabe will no doubt ignite other farming disruptions in other areas especially Mashonaland East province where factional fights in Zanu-PF have seen its supporters calling for the repossession of farms from rival politicians.
Zanu-PF should focus on resuscitating the country's economy and not on the harassment of citizens who are already suffering. As the MDC Renewal Team, we reiterate our call for a comprehensive land audit as enshrined in the national Constitution. This will not only help in flushing out multiple farm owners like Grace Mugabe but will also help in the development of clear land and agrarian policies that will improve productivity. While we believe in the irreversibility of the land reform programme as enshrined in our constitution, we strongly believe that now is the time to develop policies that will restore Zimbabwe's status as the breadbasket of Africa.
As the MDC Renewal Team, our position is that we want to give the people of Zimbabwe renewed hope and a better future for all through sound and non-discriminatory policies.
The evictions are not only heartless but also unconstitutional as they violate basic human rights as defined in our national constitution. In addition the displacements are in violation of a High Court ruling passed last year which barred the eviction of people without the provision of alternative accommodation by the government.
That these displacements are happening in the rainy season is a chilling reminder of the heartlessness of the government, itself a shameful indictment of the First Lady and President Mugabe as the evictees risk having their belongings destroyed by the rains. The illegal evictions are also taking place when the affected villagers have a thriving crop in the field, which they are being forced to abandon. Such callousness evokes memories of the 2005 Murambatsvina when the same government destroyed people's homes leaving over 700 000 people homeless in a cold winter.
Furthermore, the removals are taking place when schools are reopening next week and as a result scores of children of school going age will be affected by the move. We have also received reports that the police are using heavy handed methods in removing the people and we deplore such actions
The current land seizure by Grace Mugabe will no doubt ignite other farming disruptions in other areas especially Mashonaland East province where factional fights in Zanu-PF have seen its supporters calling for the repossession of farms from rival politicians.
Zanu-PF should focus on resuscitating the country's economy and not on the harassment of citizens who are already suffering. As the MDC Renewal Team, we reiterate our call for a comprehensive land audit as enshrined in the national Constitution. This will not only help in flushing out multiple farm owners like Grace Mugabe but will also help in the development of clear land and agrarian policies that will improve productivity. While we believe in the irreversibility of the land reform programme as enshrined in our constitution, we strongly believe that now is the time to develop policies that will restore Zimbabwe's status as the breadbasket of Africa.
As the MDC Renewal Team, our position is that we want to give the people of Zimbabwe renewed hope and a better future for all through sound and non-discriminatory policies.
Source - MDC Renewal
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