War Veterans Besiege Govenor Maluleke’s Office
Obert Pepukai
25.03.2013
WASHINGTON — War veterans and their wives Monday besieged Governor Titus
Maluleke’s offices at the Benjamin Burombo building in Masvingo for the
second day running demanding, among other things, to be allocated sugar cane
plots in the lowveld.
The former freedom fighters also demanded that some youths arrested in
Bikita while mining illegally should not be prosecuted.
Over a 100 war veterans gathered at the governor’s offices early Monday
morning. Their wives joined them after similar action Friday.
The former freedom fighters are demanding sugar cane plots in the lowveld
arguing they also want to get into the lucrative industry.
The war veteran leaders were then invited into a private meeting with the
governor while their colleagues waited outside.
Details of the meeting were not immediately available. War veterans
spokesman Kid Muzenda said they have lost patience with Maluluke.
Maluleke as governor chairs the Masvingo land committee which is responsible
mainly for allocating land to the people.
At least 150 people are said to have been allocated pieces of land in the
lucrative region but the former freedom fighters claim they have been
shunned.
They are demanding Maluleke should speedily allocate them their share before
crucial elections expected later this year. The governor refused to talk to
the press.
The war veterans are also demanding that a group of about 100 youths
arrested during a police clampdown on illegal miners in Bikita be released
from detention without charges being preferred against them.
It is alleged that some senior Zanu-PF officials, among them politburo
members, are involved in the illegal mining of tantalite, a mineral
discovered recently near Bikita Minerals Mine.
The discovery of tantalite in the area has seen hundreds flocking to the
district to for illegal mining activities.