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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
THE Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Douglas Mombeshora, is locked in yet another protracted legal wrangle with a white commercial farmer from Bubi over the ownership of a property in the district.
The commercial farmer is allegedly refusing to vacate Gravesand Farm which was acquired by the government under the land reform programme.
Mombeshora, through the Civil Division in the Attorney General’s Office, this week filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court seeking an order compelling John Cephas to vacate his former property.
The Minister wants Cephas to leave the farm within seven days and pay the cost of suit.
Mombeshora said despite demand, Cephas has failed or refused to vacate the farm and make way for 18 families which were issued with offer letters by the government.
In court papers, Mombeshora is the plaintiff while Cephas was cited as the defendant.
“The defendant has taken occupation of the farm unlawfully and without my consent rendering it impossible for me to resettle 18 beneficiaries. The defendant and all other persons who claim right and title through him from the farm known as Lot 1 of Gravesand Farm in Bubi district have no right to remain on that property,” said Mombeshora.
The Minister said Cephas’ refusal to vacate the farm was in violation of the Land Acquisition Act.
“I, in my capacity as the custodian of all rural land in Zimbabwe and in terms of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act identified 18 families for allocation of plots on Gravesand Farm. The defendant doesn’t have any legal basis to remain on the farm without my authority,” he said.
Cephas, through his lawyers, Mcijo, Dube and Partners, has filed a notice to enter an appearance to defend the summons.
Last week, the Minister also filed another lawsuit against a white commercial farmer in Bulilima district.
The commercial farmer is allegedly refusing to vacate Boxwell Farm of McGee which was acquired by the government.
In August, the government gazetted 23 more farms, 18 of them in Matabeleland North and South provinces, as part of the land reform programme.
The farms were acquired lawfully in terms of Section 72 (2) of the Constitution.
The land reform has so far benefited over 300,000 households with government figures indicating that at least 500,000 landless Zimbabweans await resettlement.
Online Reporter