VP Mphoko warns land barons

VICE-PRESIDENT Phelekezela Mphoko has warned unscrupulous individuals who illegally sell State land in the guise of land reform, saying the law would soon catch up with them.

Officially opening the 58th edition of the Matabeleland South Agricultural Show in Gwanda yesterday, VP Mphoko said they were aware that people in resettlement areas were giving themselves leadership positions after which they go on to sell land to desperate individuals.

He said they were not going to turn a blind eye on this practice but they would descend on these people because they were tarnishing both the name and image of President Mugabe who pioneered the land reform.

“In the resettlement areas we know there are people who are calling themselves village heads or headmen then go on to sell land. They have made themselves land barons and I know that in Matabeleland South this practice is very much prevalent.

“However, I must take this opportunity to warn these land barons that we are watching them. The law will soon catch up with them. We don’t care how big they think they are; even if they are MPs or Government officials they will be arrested. Some of these people go around claiming they are protected by President Mugabe but we want to show people that they are just mere thieves and worse still, the President is a man who hates corruption so he would never protect any thief,” said VP Mphoko.

He said they were known channels on how to get land, noting that no State land could be sold.

The Vice-President called on the people of Matabeleland South to effectively use resources in their province, saying that it was a known fact that it had the potential of becoming the wealthiest province in the country.

“This province has between 500 000 and 600 000 people. It is a province that borders two of the country’s neighbours — South Africa and Botswana — you must use this strength to ensure that you make this corridor grow. You have the richest grass in the whole country which is good for cattle ranching. Further, you have gold in this province which is 85 percent pure.

“All these are just some of the attributes that you have as a province. What is important now is that you don’t allow people who are not from here to come and take away all these resources from you. Use them, they are all yours,” said the Vice-President.

He said the province should also utilise irrigation schemes so that they became self-sufficient.

“I don’t want to come back here next time and find you as poor as you are. The time has come for you to stand up and work but first expose the land barons and get rid of them,” he said.

Speaking at the same function, Matabeleland South provincial Affairs Minister Cde Abednico Ncube called on Government to chip in and assist the province in the resuscitation of Arda schemes and help equip irrigation schemes, as these remained the only solution to crop production in the province.

“Irrigation schemes remain our only solution to horticulture. Considering the number of rivers we have such as Tuli, Mzingwane, Thekwane and Mwewe, to mention a few, harnessing water from these water bodies will alleviate hunger and provide raw water for irrigation and clean water for domestic consumption and livestock.

“We are also appealing for the resuscitation of Arda schemes such as Antelope in Maphisa and equipping irrigations across the province. There is Mapane Ranch for cattle breeding, Makwe, Silalatshani, Shashe, Tshikwalakwala, Mankonkoni and Rustlers’ Gorge,” said the Minister.

He said there was a need for Government intervention in the completion of Tuli/Manyange dam which was surveyed in 1960 but to date nothing had been done in terms of its construction.

“As a cattle-rich province which used to supply the whole nation with quality beef, we are asking for the re-opening of Zimcam (beef canning factory) which had a capacity to a slaughter between 500 and 600 beasts a day for export and local consumption,” said Cde Ncube.

This year’s show attracted a 100 percent uptake of stands. although there was a decrease in livestock due to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak.