adminplantations.
The farmers, who were issued with offer letters by Government to venture into commercial cane production, have demanded that Government puts pressure on the company to fulfil its part of the bargain by developing the virgin land at Hippo Valley and Mkwasine Estates.
Speaking at a feedback meeting in Chiredzi on Monday, the farmers said the move by Tongaat Hullet to delay the development of the virgin land was tantamount to sabotaging land reform.
Chairman of the new farmers and Chiredzi East legislator Cde Abraham Sithole accused Tongaat Hullet of acting in bad faith.
He said the firm promised Government last year that it would develop the virgin land for sugar cane production once offer letters were issued, but the firm had not done anything up to date.
“We are not happy at all with the attitude that is being displayed by Tongaat Hullet,” said Cde Sithole.
“We believe the company is deliberately dragging its feet on developing the virgin land in direct contradiction to what they promised.
“This is tantamount to sabotaging land reform.
“We are now appealing to Government to intervene and put pressure on Tongaat Hullet so that the company fulfils its obligation.’’
Tongaat Hullet managing director Mr Sydney Mtsambiwa could not be reached for comment.
Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo said the company was supposed to fulfil its part of the bargain.
“We expect Tongaat Hullet to have started work on the ground and we will continue to engage them to make sure that happens,’’ he said.
Government late last year issued 143 offer letters to new sugar cane farmers in Chiredzi on the understanding that Tongaat Hullet was going to develop the virgin land into irrigable plots complete with irrigation infrastructure.
The company would then recover its money from the new farmers over an agreed period.
Online Reporter