via Kasukuwere threatens to evict 3 500 timber plantation settlers – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 16, 2014
ENVIRONMENT minister Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday warned more than 3 500 families illegally settled in Allied Timbers-owned plantations that they would soon be kicked out as the company seeks to restore its viability.
Addressing journalists at the unveiling of the company’s new board in Harare, Kasukuwere said Cabinet had already approved the eviction plans.
He said the inauguration of the new board comes at a time when the timber industry is under threat from poaching, uncontrolled veld fires and illegal settlements inside plantations especially in Mutasa and Chimanimani districts.
“We have agreed in Cabinet and my counterpart in the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement Douglas Mombeshora that all people illegally settled within the plantations should be moved so that the activities of growing timber can go on uninterrupted,” Kasukuwere said.
He added: “We should be seen to be upholding the rule of law and the illegal settlers will have to be resettled somewhere by the relevant authorities.”
In Manicaland province, illegal settlers have reportedly invaded over 3 000 hectares of land within the plantations and destroyed valuable timber.
The new Allied Timbers board announced yesterday will be chaired by Emmanuel Fundira.
The other board members are Jerry Gotora, Hussein Omar, Anne Madzara, Tendai Mavhunga, Eve Mukondo, Itai Ndudzo, Charity Moyo, Joseph Kanyekanye and Caleb Garura.
Kasukuwere implored the new board to hit the ground running and change the fortunes of the biggest timber producer in the country.
“We expect to receive dividends from Allied Timbers as a people who have been starved of revenue for a very long time,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Fundira said: “While being humbled by the appointment, I should say I am also impressed by the combination of the skills and experience in the new board.”
COMMENTS
He added: “We should be seen to be upholding the rule of law and the illegal settlers will have to be resettled somewhere by the relevant authorities.”
Umm…. Saviour. Can we do the same thing starting in Mash West, please ??
Umm … Saviour. Can we do the same thing around Hwange national park, please?? …. Come on. It is all talk. When do they EVER do what they say? Cabinet also agreed the throwing off of those claiming presidential elephant land. And what happened there? Yak, yak, yak, Saviour. It all sounds good, but does not get us anywhere if you do not have the backbone to actually act.
Playing with people’s lives as usual
Another ZANU big mouth. Tell us how much you have stolen Saviour.
Mukati Kanyekanye haashandisi mushonga iyeyu,. Every minister appoints him to the board and he steals and takes Allied Timbers down relentlessly .
its not kanyekanye alone.
look carefully they are recycled material. what do you expect from say gotora
The other board members are Jerry Gotora, Hussein Omar, Anne Madzara, Tendai Mavhunga, Eve Mukondo, Itai Ndudzo, Charity Moyo, Joseph Kanyekanye and Caleb Garura.
most of them have some relationship with the big man.zvine nharo.
there are there to loot through allowances.
Border timbers ltd was destroyed to form this looting allied timbers. Reap what you sow @rsehole board
YOU DONT NEED THEM NOW, UNTIL 2918!
After trashing the rule of law for the last 34 years he now suddenly wants to apply it when it suits him, imbecile.
what about wattle coy and border timbers and all the farms for that matter, you no better then the rest of the looters, if fact you probably one of the biggest….provide the solution to the cause of the problem and not just a little band aid..
“While being humbled by the appointment, I should say I am also impressed by the combination of the skills and experience in the new board.”
A COMBINATION OF MORE DECISIVE DESTRUCTION UNDER TECHNICAL DIRECTION OF JOSEPH KANYEKANYE
You see ZPF started this illegal grabbing and now they can’t stop it. Everyone has grabbed from the top down. They sowed a wind and reaped a whirlwind. These are supposed to be leaders who are supposed to set an example to the people of their nation. What example have they set. They have taught to people to steal, be violent, practice lawlessness and to take what they never worked for. Judgment comes! repent!
The idea by Kasukuwere to remove those on plantations is a back wards move. He Sk was the empowerment minister,Where then is the disempowerment emanating from? He rather should give a mandate that whoever doesn’t embark on rejuvenation of plantation should see themselves out of the area because the area best suits timber plantation. Zimbabwean farmers should actually grow the crops the former farmers were growing because the types of crops they grew were best suited for those particular terrain, rainfall, type of soils and more.The minister should off course remove those who don’t want to specialise in timber and give it to the timber enthusiasts. We will be successful if we do it that way. Getting to where Zim was is a process,it takes determination and hard work.Shendebvu Tiriwatewe.