LAND ACQUISITION ACT CHAPTER 20:10
The Herald today carries a list of 804 farms to be acquired under this Act. This list is being prepared at the Government Printers for a Special Gazette Edition to be released this afternoon. If the Gazette comes out, these actions will be official in terms of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act and the Land Acquisition Act amended by these powers. There are other procedural issues which are in question and we are studying these and will make a fuller statement next week, after consultation with our legal advisers.
We are asking the legal fraternity to meet early next week and brain storm the issue & that advise will also be passed to you as soon as available.
In the meantime, advice to farmers so affected by the list is that there is provision in the Act for objection to be lodged with the Minister within the next 30 days, before 2nd July, 2000. Properties are not acquired until a Section 8 Acquisition Order is served after 30 days from the date of the Preliminary Notice and the Government has to have these orders confirmed in the Administrative Court before acquisition is completed. Furthermore, notice has to be served on each land owner and anyone else with a right therein. We understand these notices will be served from Monday.
There is ample scope for negotiation with the Minister in terms of swaps, deals or alternative proposals and farmers should carefully consider these over the next few days.
In addition, we believe that community plans to come up with properties, preferably contiguous, for resettlement purposes, without breaking up the communities, are absolutely paramount and farmers should press ahead with these plans as quickly as possible.
I am absolutely convinced that there will be no farmer displaced from his home farm out of this exercise, although some single owned farms on the communal area boundary may be casualties and the community plans should include a means of incorporating such casualties on to other properties inland.
Of particular concern to us is the likelihood of a rush of farm invasions, by war veterans and their followers, of these properties so identified today. These invasions should be treated in the normal way. Farmers should advise their local Member in Charge and Security Liaison person, not confront the invaders, co-operate where necessary without conceding land, equipment, food or anything else. It is imperative to avoid opportunities for violent reaction from invaders under these circumstances and remember that the programme is by no means over.
In the meantime, we will continue to attempt to keep the other initiatives on track and are in touch daily with the various organisations’ responsible. We will advise of developments as and when appropriate.
Dr J L Grant
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (REGIONS)
P.S. The Gazette is out.
MASVINGO REGION Masvingo East and Central There was meeting reported to have taken place at the Civic Centre here in town yesterday morning. Dr. Hunzvi was the speaker.
Mwenezi Area All is reported t be quiet in this area.
There are a few farms that have had war vets come onto the properties and peg out plots, but have then moved off again. They are the following :
Quagga Pan A , Kyalami Ranch , Kalahari Ranch , Mkumi Ranch .
Chiredzi Area No movement in this area apart from a War Vet meeting that was held at the Hippo Valley Club yesterday afternoon. Discussions that took place are not known at this stage, but it is presumed to be an update as to whatever took place at the meeting in Masvingo yesterday morning.
Save Conservancy Quiet although its is not back to normal as it should be. There has been an upsurge in violence and in activity at Bedford Block. They have erected another two camps and set up more roadblocks with tree booms.
MASHONALAND WEST NORTH Lions Den: One new invasion on Montrose Farm. 4 "War Vets" arrived on the farm, and threatened the owner. He was told to take all his equipment and labour and get off the farm.
MIDLANDS A meeting was held between the Regional Chairman and the Governor yesterday, regarding the farm occupation exercise.
A political rally is being held on Highlands farm today, all workers who are not working today have been ordered to attend.
MASHONALAND CENTRAL The provincial police command has been informed about the farms that have been listed for acquisition and have given their assurance that the police would do their utmost to prevent damage or loss of property in the event of a "free for all." All police stations have now received the signal sent by Compol two weeks ago. So far, up to midday, it has been quiet in the province, but all areas are remaining vigilant.
SOUTH WEST MASHONALAND Chegutu: Peaceful Zanu PF Rallies yesterday on Halingbery and Chiwere Farms which mean't workers could not work for most of the day.
Regional Chairman and Executive had a meeting with about 100 farmers yesterday regarding the list that came out yesterday afternoon and are putting together community plans to do swops e.t.c.
Chakari: Blackmorevale Farm a guard was threatened and police came out.
Kadoma/Battlefields: over 20 war vets invaded Peamena Farm, Police told war vets to leave and they did. Collingdale Farm and Peersen Farm invaded.
Norton: member in charge went to one property this morning to try and sort out death threats.
MASHONALAND EAST There was meeting held this morning with the farmers who were on the list gazetted yesterday, with Guy Watson Smith and a briefing from John Heyns. The farmers felt that it was useful to have these reports.
Macheke/Virginia Home Park this morning reacting to the gazette list published yesterday. The war vets have informed the owners' son that the properties identified in the gazette are the wrong ones, and that they will direct which land is to be taken - namely that which is contiguous with Village 8 area of Wenimbe resettlement area. War vets have indicated intention to talk to the owner, who lives on the Nyamakovera section close to resettlement area. He is unwilling to do this and has been advised to make himself scarce with the assurance that if his house is broken into and occupied, police have assured him that they will react.
Marondera North Unable to contact
Marondera South Chipesa Farm - Daily News article on Tuesday reported that the police took fuel from Chipesa. This was not the case - CIO checking on farm stocks. Further to the break in at Chipesa homestead previously reported approximately $900 000.00 loss was sustained, with $123 000.00 worth recovered. Losses sustained from the farm in general as a result of the invasion, evacuation of the owner, removal of cattle and produce e.t.c is estimated at approximately $3 000 000.00. Through neighbours, war vet Marimo has threatened the owner's wife and alleged various "crimes" on her part, including the claim that she rather than her husband is the real politician, and reminding her that they had beaten him up.
Beatrice/Harare South Nothing to report today. All is peaceful
Wedza Tapson Farm - a war vet has moved into the driver's house which is next to the main homestead. He refuses to tell the farmer what his name is. On Thursday night most of the paddock gates were left open and the different groups of cattle on the farm got mixed up. Chadenga Farm - 2km of fencing was pushed over while invaders were pegging. Rupaka Farm - Houses are going up fast and furiously. There are about 35 on the farm now. The house that was built on the seedbed site and then pulled down has to be replaced, but the war vet wants a house with cement floors and plastered walls.
Featherstone Unable to contact.
Bromely/Ruwa/Enterprise Mr Murehwa will be addressing a rally at Chabwimo on Sunday.
Unless there is an increase of activity tonight, there will be no report from this area tomorrow.
MANICALAND Nyanga/Odzi/Middle Sabi - Quiet
Burma Valley FA Chairman having meeting Zanu PF representatives this afternoon.
Chimanimani Since Thursday last week Roy Bennett and managers Vooruitzicht Farm returned to farm. Currently occupied by 15 war vets but no hostilities. Recovered farm vehicles, 8 head of cattle slaughtered. Sorting out trashed homestead today.
Headlands Abel Murima who is from Rusape is moving through Wakefield Estate who have been keeping their gates locked, he has told the guards if they do not leave the gates open for him - he will kill them. Causeway Farm - has been invaded by rival war vets from Macheke and the resident war vets are threatening to ambush the rival warvets.
MATABELELAND No Report