Governor in land controversy
By Bridget Mananavire, Staff Writer
Friday, 11 November 2011 15:07
HARARE – Chinhoyi town council has attacked Mashonaland West governor and
resident minister Faber Chidarikire for taking over council land, suspecting
the land could be used as militia bases ahead of elections.
This comes as black-on-black land ownership fights escalate after virtually
all white farmers were evicted during the often-violent land reform
programme.
Chinhoyi mayor Claudius Nyamhondoro said there was “no other practical
explanation” as to why Chidarikire was repossessing the land since the local
council was fully utilising it.
“There were people already using that land. Why would he repossess and
re-allocate it and have people clashing over the land,” Nyamhondoro said.
“I suspect the land is going to be used for a violent campaign against
another party.
“I have heard stories of people who live nearby being forced to attend
meetings and there is no reason why it should be redistributed,” said
Nyamhondoro, a member of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party.
Chidarikire belongs to Zanu PF, which has repeatedly fought allegations of
fanning violence using state institutions.
Nyamhondoro fears of the farms being used to house militias come at a time
when tensions between Zanu PF and the MDC are rising ahead of elections to
be held possibly next year.
Nyamhondoro told the Daily News in an interview that he had approached
Chidarikire after council requested an explanation on why the governor had
repossessed the land without consulting council.
Chidarikire showed no interest in discussing the matter with council
officials, Nyamhondoro said.
“I sent a request to meet him to discuss why he would take such an action on
council land without consulting us but he came up with excuses not to meet
with us.
“The only communication we had with him was when he sent two letters
informing us he was repossessing three council farms,” he said.
Chidarikire denied being involved in the land disputes. But this newspaper
is in possession of letters from the governor’s office proving otherwise.
In one of the letters, Chidarikire asks the council to cede land within its
jurisdiction to new farmers.
“While I appreciate that you have future plans for this piece of land, I
propose that this area for now, be demarcated into 0,5-1 ha plots which can
be allocated to urban residents interested in farming.
“Beneficiaries will be advised not to construct any structures as they will
be moved by council when need arises,” Chidarikire wrote in a letter to
Chinhoyi council dated October 11 2011.