Mat South to resolve land issue 

Source: Mat South to resolve land issue – Sunday News Dec 24, 2017

Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday News Reporter
MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Abednico Ncube has said one of his first major assignments is to deal with the issue of land ownership in the province amid reports of shaddy deals that saw some people being dispossessed of land by the provincial lands committee and given to a preferred clique.

He said he was going to revisit the allocation of land in the province with a view to redistribute the precious resource to deserving individuals while rectifying the wrongs brought by the lands officers.

Addressing heads of Government departments during a provincial development committee meeting in Gwanda recently, Cde Ncube said his office would also revisit the allocation of land and correct all the wrongs that were made while making those responsible account for their actions.

“My office will look closely into all the land deals that were made by the provincial lands committee as there are complaints by some people that they were evicted unlawfully from the land they had acquired at the beginning of the land reform programme,” he said.

The minister said the responsible authorities should immediately deliver detailed reports on the land allocation procedures that have been made in the past dating as far back as 2005.

“DAs, CEOs of  RDCs go and work on those land reports and avail them to my office so that we work on the issue of land allocation at the soonest time. Our people should benefit from the land. Those that deserve should be given the resource so that we realise something out of it,” he said.

Cde Ncube said he would pull up the sleeves and gear his office to ensure that the vision of the new Government was realised.

“As you are aware that we are now in a new era and new Government under the leadership of President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa let it be known to you all that this Government does not condone corruption. We want to fully uphold the values of fairness, accountability and justice and I am prepared to ensure this is achieved,” he said.

He urged Government officials in the province to roll up their sleeves as well and work towards improving the economy and the people’s livelihoods.

“We need to work hard and I expect to see some changes in terms of our work ethic,” said Cde Ncube.

Cde Ncube also urged the police to do their work without fear or favour by arresting those that engage in corruption and bring them to book.

“The leadership of (Snr Asst Comm) Ncube in the province is expected to be in full force against these culprits who engage in corruption and want to destroy the nation. They should be thrown where they deserve, away from among us,” he said.

Officer Commanding Matabeleland South Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Learn Ncube in response said his office stood ready and prepared to deal with criminals.

“We will not have sacred cows. We will investigate and arrest any cases brought to our attention in a proper manner, and where necessary take the culprits to court,” he said.

Women representatives expressed the need to include women and the youths too in the land allocation process and Minister Ncube promised to take the matter seriously.