Chinamasa cited as white farmer in court

Chinamasa cited as white farmer in court – NewZimbabwe 23/02/2016

MAKONI Central: A local white commercial farmer appeared before the Rusape magistrates court Monday facing charges of unlawfully holding onto a gazetted farm.

Robert Smart, 50, appeared before magistrate Shingi Mutiro charged with occupying Lesbury Farm in Rusape without an offer letter.

Smart denied the charges, saying he was given permission by the local legislator to stay put. The MP for Makoni Central is finance minister Patrick Chinamasa.

Prosecutors told the court that Smart was told to vacate the property on May 27 last year but refused to budge.

According to State papers, the farm was gazetted for resettlement in June 2001.

Smart reportedly continued to occupy the farm without a permit or offer letter from lands resettlement ministry.

The court was told the property had been allocated to a black farmer in line with the government’s land reform programme.

Magistrate Mutiro remanded Smart out of custody to March 4 for continuation of trial.