Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Government has warned new sugar-cane farmers in the Lowveld to stop illegally expanding their plots, saying efforts were underway to repossess such land for allocation to other land-hungry Zimbabweans. The warning comes after a land audit carried by the then Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement last year indicated that many new sugar-cane farmers had illegally expanded their plots beyond the hectarage prescribed on their offer letters.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Rural Resettlement Mr Davis Marapira last week said Government was concerned by the practice, especially by farmers at Hippo Valley, Triangle and Mkwasine.

He said an audit carried out last year by his ministry had unmasked many new farmers who illegally allocated themselves land beyond what reflected on their offer letters.

“We have noted with great concern that most cane farmers who are on the margins of cane plantations at Mkwasine, Triangle and Hippo Valley have been allocating themselves additional land without approval from Government,” Deputy Minister Marapira said.

“These farmers are double dipping from the State by allocating themselves land beyond what is on their offer letters. Some are taking over dry land adjacent to their plots and incorporating the land into their plots; this is illegal.’’

According to Deputy Minister Marapira, plans were underway to start repossessing that land.