Zimpapers Logo

Hebert Zharare and Paidamoyo Chipunza
Former Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, is implicated in a land scam where he was reportedly influencing four A2 farmers he unprocedurally resettled at Craig Farm along Mutoko Road in Acturus area to resist eviction despite a Government directive to vacate the farm.

The farm is owned by Watermount Estates (Pvt) Ltd, a Zimbabwean company.

However, impeccable sources told The Herald yesterday that Cde Mutasa facilitated its occupation by Messrs Cephas Hodzi, Charles Machoba, Alvin Musengezi and Rushmore Mukwamba in 2006 when he was Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement.

Workers who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Herald that Cde Mutasa had vested interests in the property and he always came to have meetings with the four.

Cde Mutasa reportedly gave the four the farm measuring 500 hectares, fully aware that it belonged to black Zimbabweans and was no longer up for acquisition by Government.

“He appears to be very much interested in the goings on at this farm because he comes here often to check and to meet with the resettled farmers,” said a worker who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In a letter dated October 8, 2014 written by Secretary for Lands and Rural resettlement, Mrs Christine Tsvakwi, to the chief lands officer for Mashonaland East Province Mr Wilfred Motsi, the four farmers were supposed to be allocated land elsewhere since the farm was to be returned to its owners.

Reads Mrs Tsvakwi’s letter; “Watermount (Pvt) Ltd, an indigenous company which owns Craig of Craig farm has made representations to the Ministry over the acquisition and settlement of their farm under the land reform programme.

“Craig of Craig was acquired by Government and allocated to four A2 beneficiaries in 2006.”

She said although Government was not precluded from acquiring indigenous owned farms, her Ministry did not encourage acquisition of the same since this became expensive for Government as it would be required to pay full compensation for both land and improvements.

To avoid unnecessary expenses to Government, Mrs Tsvakwi said her Ministry therefore resolved to give back Craig of Craig to Watermount (Pvt) Ltd and find alternative land for the affected four A2 land beneficiaries.

“You are therefore requested to find alternative land for the affected A2 farmers in order to enable Watermount (Pvt) Ltd, to have vacant possession of their farm,” she said.

In response, Mr Motsi agreed to remove the settlers and resettle them on alternative land.

“We have no objection in Watermount retaining their full control of the farm as has been recommended by the provincial lands committee in 2000 as shown on the LA Form attached.

“We therefore assume the earnest responsibility of finding alternative land for the affected four A2 farmers,” wrote Mr Motsi.

He said after analysing documents presented by the directors of Watermount as provincial land committee, they were also convinced that the farm was indigenously owned.

Director of Watermount Estates (Pvt) Ltd Mr Kumbirai Matimba, said the farm was initially gazetted in 2001 for acquisition by Government and the gazette was later withdrawn in 2002, after both the then Governor of Mashonaland East and the late Cde David Karimanzira and the then Lands Minister Dr Joseph Made, had verified and confirmed in writing that the land was indigenously owned.

He said certificates of no present interest on the farm were issued in 2002.

“However, in 2006 the subsequent Minister of Lands Mr Didymus Mutasa under unclear circumstances and with the involvement of Mrs Petronella Kagonye allocated the property to four settlers under the land reform programme.

“In other words the former Minister Mutasa knew fully that the property was owned by black Zimbabweans but he deliberately decided to dispossess them and allocate it to his friends,” said Mr Matimba.

“We also understand that the allocation was done without the involvement of the Mashonaland East Provincial Lands Committee,” he said.

He said Cde Mutasa’s successor in the Ministry, Cde Herbert Murerwa, tried to correct the error in 2012 when he assumed office, but left before the exercise was complete.

Mr Matimba said current Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Dr Douglas Mombeshora has issued the same directive but the settlers still resisted eviction on the strength of Cde Mutasa’s support.

“Currently, there is co-existence on the property between the four settlers and our employees, but the settlers are not allowing us to farm or carry out our normal business on the property. This has created losses to us.

“From time to time they disturb our existence on the property,” said Mr Matimba.

Cde Mutasa is facing several other allegations of illegally parcelling out farms to his friends, girlfriends and relatives.

Cde Mutasa and Kagonye could not be reached on their mobile phones yesterday, while Dr Mombeshora’s phone went unanswered.