adminGeorge Maponga in Masvingo
Government is considering issuing short term temporary leases to companies operating on estates and plantations while waiting for the formulation of a policy on their acquisition for resettlement purposes, a Cabinet minister has said.
Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told The Herald on Wednesday that all plantations and estates were State land.
Dr Mombeshora said the move would boost investor confidence.
“We have not yet made a decision on how we will proceed with the issue of short-term leases.
“It is something that is still being worked on and once we have come up with a position we will then approach the leadership for permission to implement it,” he said.
“Our position is that we want operators on the estates and plantations to have confidence that their stay on the land is guaranteed for a specific period of time and this will give them confidence to make further investments while waiting for a policy on estates and plantations,’’ he said.
It is believed that among the companies that will be issued with the leases is Lowveld sugar producer Tongaat Hulett.
Online Reporter