Online Reporter
Court Correspondent
FARMERS at Springs Farm in Goromonzi have filed a notice of intent to oppose a Government application seeking to revisit a previous High Court ruling relating to land formerly held under Aspindale and Lochinvar.
The farmers under the Springs Farmers Association confirmed through their legal representatives that they will contest the application recently lodged by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works which seeks to set aside aspects of an earlier judgment involving the same land.
The matter stems from a long-running dispute over properties formerly owned by Marimba Residential Properties (Pvt) Ltd part of the area compulsorily acquired by the State under the Land Acquisition Act [Chapter 20:10] and subsequently allocated for urban and agricultural development.
In 2019 the High Court ruled in favour of several housing cooperatives and beneficiaries finding that the allocations had been lawfully made.
The current proceedings relate to the Ministry’s fresh application filed earlier this year concerning land identified at Springs Farm in Goromonzi District.
Officials close to the process said the filing of the farmers’ opposition paves the way for a full hearing once procedural timelines are completed.
Springs Farm has in recent years been noted for its contribution to national wheat production under ongoing agricultural programmes.
The case is expected to come before the High Court in Harare in due course.
