Chief Negomo demands US$1,1m from Tavydale Farm owner
Monday, 14 January 2013 00:00
Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Mashonaland Central province traditional leader, Chief Negomo (Luscious
Chitsinde), is demanding US$1,1 million from a commercial farmer at Tavydale
Farm, Mr Pip Mattison, as compensation for 50 A1 farmers whose maize crop he
destroyed in a land dispute.
In determining the figure at a traditional court on Saturday, Chief Negomo
calculated the costs of inputs that the 50 farmers incurred and multiplied
it by 300 hectares.
Some of the costs considered were seed maize , fertilizer, tillage and
herbicides, among others.
The matter was heard as a default case as Mr Matison failed to turn up at
Chief Negomo’s court. Mr Mattison was also ordered to pay two herds of
cattle, three goats, two sheep, a cock and a 10-metre piece cloth to cleanse
the area which he said was now defiled.
Chief Negomo gave Mr Mattison up to February 23 this year to pay up and
asked the farmers to come on that day to collect their compensation money.
Mr Mattison’s lawyers, Mr Tich Muhonde of Muhonde Attorneys, had earlier
written to Chief Negomo that his client would not come arguing that the
traditional leader had no jurisdiction to hear the case. Most of the 50
farmers attended the traditional court session where they gave evidence.
The farmers complained that most of their belongings were still locked up at
the farm as they had been barred from the farm. In their evidence, the
farmers said they were convinced that Mr Mattison was riding on the support
of some influential politicians and some Government officials in the
province.
“Our cattle, chickens, clothes and other belongings are still locked up at
the farm. We are staying with well-wishers who are giving us clothes to
wear,” said Ms Cecilia Chivhunga.
“Where is the white farmer deriving this power to destroy our crops? Dzvinyu
kuzambira zuva huona mwena,” said Mr Andrew Negomo.
Another farmer, Mr Vengesai Majaji, said they were issued with offer letters
by District Administrator, Mrs Shelter Nyakudya, and last year and Mr
Mattison would actually lend them his tractor to plough.
“Some of the farmers were arrested by police and charged with trespassing.
How can we trespass on an area we have offer letters and where we have been
farming for one year,” he said.