admindeclared the size of its cane plantations at Hippo Valley Estates by about 6 000 hectares.
Tongaat Hullet had for years claimed that its cane plantations at Hippo Valley Estates covered 29 000ha but a recent audit by officials from the Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement ministry discovered that the actual size of the plantations was over 35 500ha.
The discovery has since torched a storm in the Masvingo provincial leadership.
Under the land reform laws Tongaat Hullet’s sugar cane plantations at both Triangle and Hippo Valley Estates are State land.
Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo yesterday confirmed that the provincial leadership had summoned Tongaat Hullet managing director Mr Sydney Mtsambiwa to explain the alleged under-declaration.
Mr Chikovo said the Tongaat Hullet managing director was supposed to appear before the provincial lands committee sometime next week to explain the alleged discrepancy and agree on the way forward.
“Ministry of Lands officials recently carried out an audit and discovered that Tongaat Hullet had actually under-declared the size of its sugar cane plantations at Hippo Valley by about 6 000ha. The firm declared that they had 29 000ha which were under cane but it turned out that the actual size of their plantations is over 35 500 ha.
“Our officials were recently on the ground and discovered the under-declaration. We have since summoned Mr Sydney Mtsambiwa to appear before the provincial lands committee and explain the discrepancy.’’ he said.
Mr Chikovo said the provincial leadership would agree on the way forward after meeting Mr Mtsambiwa.
Government, through the Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement ministry recently dispatched a team of experts to ascertain the actual size of cane plantations run by Tongaat Hullet in the Lowveld.
Tongaat Hullet has reportedly refused to fulfil a pledge it made to Government to develop 4 000ha of virgin land in the Lowveld to resettle 150 new indigenous cane farmers. The company has since the beginning of the year been dithering to fulfil its pledge to develop the virgin land which the indigenous farmers were issued offer letters for in January this year.
Online Reporter