SARAH Cameron, widow of Esigodini farmer, Dugald Roy Lochist Cameron, has sued the government challenging the compulsory acquisition of her late husband’s St Paul’s Farm in Matabeleland South province.
Source: Farmer’s widow sues over land acquisition – NewsDay Zimbabwe October 31, 2016
BY SILAS NKALA
In papers filed at the High Court on October 24, Sarah gave Lands and Rural Resettlement minister Douglas Mombeshora and the Registrar of Deeds 10 working days to delist the farm or respond to her application.
In her founding affidavit, Sarah submitted that she was a Zimbabwean citizen and was entitled to continue using the farm following the death of her husband in 2008.
“St Paul’s Farm is registered under deeds of transfer in the names of Dugald Roy Lochist Cameron, my late husband,” she submitted.
“St Paul’s Farm was gazetted for compulsory acquisition in August 2000. I made representations to the first respondent (Lands minister) … that I am an indigenous Zimbabwean and was the spouse of the registered owner.
After the representation, the farm was delisted in October 2000.”
Sarah said to her surprise, the farm was again listed for compulsory acquisition in 2002 under preliminary notice to compulsory acquire Land GN 118A/2002 and caveat NO 167/2002 was registered against the title deeds.
“Again, I made representation to the acquiring authority and I was assured that the farm was listed in error. I was assured that it would be delisted,” she submitted.
“My husband, in whose names the farm is registered, died in 2008. There are five children born out of our union and all of them are Zimbabweans and are domiciled in Zimbabwe.”
Sarah said over the years, she made several contacts with Mombeshora, who assured her that the government had no interest in the farm, because it is owned and occupied by an indigenous Zimbabwean, whom the land reform seeks to empower.
She also submitted that Umzingwane Rural District Council has indicated that it wants to subdivide the land into residential stands.
COMMENTS
No matter what this regime says anyone born in Zimbabwe or before is part of the country and has the right to demand their rights . This regime has no legal authority to make laws to suit its whims thus the tag dictator. These injustices must end now as we have become the laughing stock of the world. How embarrassing this is. If we are to make friends gain investments etc how can we if these injustices continue.