By Correspondent.
Churedzi, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) More than 600 villagers from Arda-Magudu Ranch in Chiredzi North Constituency have petitioned parliament to investigate the authenticity of their proposed eviction from the 6000ha piece of land which they acquired during the Fast Track Land Reform Program.
The development comes as the province is also tackling relocation issues at Save Valley Conservancy were 15000 villagers had be notified of relocation threats to pave way for the establishment of a boundary fence around the sanctuary.
In Mwenezi, more than 7500 families including Tokwe Mukorsi flood victims are also reportedly refusing to be relocated from Nuanetsi Ranch to pave way for the establishment of a sugarcane plantation by Green Fuel.
In Nuanetsi, Agriculture Rural Development Agency (ARDA) has partnered Integrated Construction Projects (ICP) which is set to establish another sugarcane planation and cattle fattening projects.
Chairman of the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Lands and Agriculture Christopher Chitindi however assured the farmers that parliament will take necessary steps to have their grievances solved.
“You have raised an important subject to us, surely I wasn’t aware that all farmers in this area had no offer letters,” he said.
“We will take you grievances to your relevant ministries so that we come up with a solution. We want all land to be utilized, we want you grow your cotton and other crops without fear. Continued working as government would mostly take decisions that pleases the majority,” said Chitindi.
Nuanetsi Villagers secretary Mr Emmanuel Nyati said they wanted official communication from government so as to plan properly about their future.
He said preparations of this season were in limbo as ICP officials were already installing pegs on their fields.
“We have a problem with a company called ICP who claims they are the new owners of Arda-Magudu and wants to evict us from our fields without even giving us an alternative land,” he said.
“We are glad you have visited us as the portfolio committee on Agriculture, we want to give you this letter signed by all villagers saying we want the President to know that we don’t want ICP to take over our land. They must concentrate on the piece of land which belongs to Arda,” said Nyati.
He said they wished if government would issue them with offer letters so that they can have security over their land.
“It’s sad that people are just coming from Harare with offer letters to drive us from the land which we benefited during the fast track land reform program. We are equal citizens and we want to be issued with offer letters for these 6ha which every family is in control of,” said Nyati.
About Author
