adminThe war veterans also complained against the arrest of illegal tantalite miners in Bikita district.
The war veterans staged a sit-in that lasted more than six hours in the governor’s office as they demanded an audience with him.
They then held a brief meeting with Governor Maluleke, but remained holed up in his office after the resident minister had left.
Led by Bikita district war veterans leader Cde Ignatius Murindi, the war veterans remained in the offices after the meeting while Governor Maluleke sat in his car outside.
The war veterans eventually agreed to leave Governor Maluleke’s offices just before 9pm after being promised a meeting.
“I cannot talk to you about that issue,” said Governor Maluleke.
“I do not know why they are doing this, perhaps you can talk to the war veterans themselves so that they give you a full explanation.”
Cde Murindi said they wanted the provincial leadership to expedite the redistribution of sugar cane plots to landless people in the Lowveld.
“We came to the Governor’s offices because we are not happy with the slow pace by the Masvingo provincial leadership in redistributing sugar cane plots in the Lowveld to the people,” he said.
“We want the Masvingo provincial leadership and in particular the governor to tell us why they are skirting around the redistribution of plots at Hippo Valley and Mkwasine estates. We want those plantations to be redistributed as soon as possible.”
Cde Murindi accused the Masvingo provincial leadership of not providing convincing answers on the arrest of 62 panners mining tantalite at Bikita Minerals.
“The Governor should tell us why the panners only got arrested last week after they had been digging for tantalite at Bikita Minerals for the past two months,” he said.
“We want to know who gave the miners the green light to initially conduct the mining and also those who were buying the tantalite. Why were police not arresting them all along?”
Cde Murindi said they would take the matter up with the Zanu-PF national leadership if Governor Maluleke reneged on meeting them.
Online Reporter