Background
Following the issuance of the joint statement on the conclusion of the Global Compensation Deed on 31 August 2020, it has become necessary to issue a clarification on certain aspects of this particular statement in light of some misinterpretation.

ENTITLEMENT TO COMPENSATION FOR BOTH LAND AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 20), Section 295 clearly defines two categories entitled to compensation for both land and improvements.

These are indigenous Black African Zimbabweans, whose land was acquired by the State and any person whose agricultural land was protected by Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements (BIPPAs) or Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). It is only these two categories entitled to such compensation.

In the statement of 31st of August 2020, Paragraphs 5-8, where ever there is reference to former farmers, this is in fact with reference to Indigenous Black African Zimbabwean former farmers.

Paragraphs 5-8 of the Joint Statement make reference to section 295 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 20) which states:

Any indigenous Zimbabwean whose agricultural land was acquired by the State before the effective date is entitled to compensation from the State for the land and any improvements that were on the land when it was acquired.

Any person whose agricultural land was acquired by the State before the effective date and whose property rights at that time were guaranteed or protected by an agreement concluded by the Government of Zimbabwe with the government of another country, is entitled to compensation from the State for the land and for any improvements in accordance with that agreement.

Any person, other than a person referred to in subsection (1) or (2), whose agricultural land was acquired by the State before the effective date is entitled to compensation from the State only for improvements that were on the land when it was acquired . . .’

MISINTERPRETATION OF PREVIOUS JOINT STATEMENT

It is important to state that the Land Reform Programme is irreversible and this chapter is closed and will not be revisited.

The statements regarding the reversal of the land reform programme are misplaced and should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve.

We reiterate that the land is the birth right of all indigenous Zimbabweans and we will guard it jealously as we strive towards a highly productive agricultural sector to foster food security and the fulfilment of Vision 2030.

CONCLUSION

For clarity, we wish to state that there is no intention to reverse the gains of Land Reform Programme. It is irreversible.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe, Section 72, enshrines the right to agricultural land and this right is sacred and will be treated as such and guarded jealously.

All attempts to divert our farmers from their preparations for the upcoming season through misconceived and misplaced statements should be rejected as we focus on ensuring a bountiful 2020-2021 farming season.

The statement was jointly issued by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Dr Anxious Masuka and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Prof Mthuli Ncube.