Not all mourn for Mudenge
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Stan Mudenge, who died recently, had
been embroiled in a farm ownership wrangle with dozens of villagers who
invaded Chikore Farm in Masvingo during the height of farm invasions.
17.10.12
by Regerai Tukutuku
A spokesman for the former freedom fighters occupying Chikore Farm, who
refused to be named for fear of victimization, said they would not vacate
the property which they grabbed from a former white owner only identified as
Mr Buchan.
“While it is taboo to celebrate one’s death, we did celebrate because the
former minister had given us a torrid time,” said the spokesman. “We were
being harassed every day by state security agents who wanted to know why we
were not moving out of the minister’s farm.”
“When we were fighting the former white owner, Minister Mudenge was very
supportive. He used to bring us food and other things but after chasing away
the former white owner Mudenge then changed the goal posts and claimed that
the farm belonged to him.”
The settlers at Chikore farm were last year arrested and convicted of
invading gazette land. Early this year Masvingo magistrate Oliver
Mudzongachiso convicted the settlers of illegally staying on the minister’s
farm. The magistrate ruled that the settlers should leave the property to
pave the way for Mudenge.
However, the settlers’ lawyer, Matin Mureri of Matutu Kwirira and Associates
legal firm, told The Zimbabwean that the settlers were still on the
property.
Mureri said because he had appealed to the high court against both the
conviction and the sentence, therefore the settlers had the right to remain
on the farm.
Mudenge died in a hotel room on October 4 in Masvingo minutes before he was
supposed to officiate at a function. He was declared a national Hero and
buried at the country’s national Heroes Acre.