adminWalter Mswazie recently in Chiredzi
FORTY-SIX chiefs from Masvingo Province will be allocated farms to grow sugarcane on 4,000 hectares of land that Tongaat Hulett has provided. Addressing thousands of Zanu-PF supporters who thronged Chishamiso Stadium in Chiredzi on Saturday to celebrate her recent appointment as Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Shuvai Mahofa hailed the sugarcane grower and miller for offering land to landless people in the province.
She said the company’s gesture was in support of the government’s efforts to address historical imbalances where white settlers had vast tracts of land when blacks were crowded in small arid areas.
“We want to thank Tongaat Hulett for working with us so well. We asked them to cede some land for our chiefs and landless people and they readily complied. They gave us 4,000ha and 46 of our chiefs and other landless people will benefit,” said Cde Mahofa.
President Mugabe appointed her last month following the sacking of Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti.
Cde Bhasikiti was sacked on the basis that his conduct had become inconsistent with his prescribed duties as a minister and party cadre. He was also accused of being a key figure in the cabal that was loyal to former Vice-President, Joice Mujuru and sought to topple the President.
Cde Mahofa advised all foreign companies operating in Masvingo to work with the government as it was obligatory for them to do so.
“All foreign companies operating in the country should abide by the laws of the country. I’m happy that Tongaat Hulett is obedient. I met the Tongaat management at my office and I can confirm that I had a fruitful discussion with them,” she said.
Cde Mahofa said she has managed to resolve a number of outstanding issues that were bedevilling the once faction-ridden province.
She appealed to the province’s populace to work with her and assist her in developing Masvingo.
“It’s now three weeks since I assumed office and I’ve resolved Chingwizi issue where 3,000 families are settled. All families from the drought-prone Chingwizi will be relocated to Chiumburu Farm in Chiredzi. The pegging is in place and every household will be given five hectares as opposed to just a hectare they occupy at Chingwizi. I’ve also resolved outstanding issues involving 138 people who have been holding on to offer letters but without being allocated land,” she said.
Last year violence erupted at Chingwizi holding camp when two police vehicles were set on fire and reduced to shells as settlers resisted to be moved to the one-hectare plots.
Four protesters were convicted and sentenced to five years each for arson by a Chiredzi Magistrate, Honest Musiiwa late last month.
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu