Source: Farm evictions worry ZiLAN –Newsday Zimbabwe
ADVOCACY Group Zimbabwe Land and Agrarian Network (ZiLAN) has expressed concern over the surge in evictions of smallholder farmers in communal and resettled areas to pave way for government investment deals.
In a statement issued yesterday, ZiLAN said information received from smallholder farmers across the country at their annual policy meeting showed that in most cases, the affected communities were excluded, or not consulted prior to displacement.
They also do not receive commensurate compensation.“More specifically, since August 2022, developments in Chegutu East (Hopewell Farm), where an estimated 3 000 people are facing potential land dispossession are of concern. This is meant to accommodate a proposed platinum project by a private firm (Global Platinum Resources),” ZiLAN said.
“Most of the farmers domiciled in the area were legally allocated this land as far back as 2000 under the Fast Track Land Reform Programme and have been farming on this land since then. From our ongoing engagements with key stakeholders involved, the community in question has not been adequately consulted with regards to the development. As we monitor the situation closely, it is our firm belief that this development infringes on the fundamental rights and freedoms of people as set out in section 72 of the Zimbabwe Constitution.”
The advocacy network implored government to follow due diligence, adhere to due process, transparency and accountability in all land matters that affect people’s livelihoods.ZiLAN added that mechanisms should be put in place and followed throughout to enable communities to gainfully participate and benefit from private investments that would have negatively affected them in one way or another.
They said the displaced people’s cultural and spiritual practices must always be upheld.
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