FRESH farm invasions by people claiming to be Zanu PF supporters will slow down foreign direct investment (FDI) which the country desperately needs, economic analysts have said.

OWN CORRESPONDENT

Scores of militant Zanu PF supporters recently invaded Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa’s Rudy Farm in Nyamandlovu, Matabeleland North, claiming he is underutilising it.

In another incdent 75 people, comprising families of workers at Centenary Farm in the Figtree area of Matabeleland South, were also last week thrown out of their dwellings by deputy chief secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Ray Ndhlukula’s representatives.

Ndhlukula is trying to seize Centenary Farm owned by David Connolly in defiance of a High Court order.

Some invaders have also been parcelling out the Bulawayo City Council-owned Mazwi Nature Reserve which they invaded last month.

Economic analysts and business lobby groups who spoke to Southern Eye Business yesterday said FDI would be squashed by these farm disturbances.

They said no normal investor would like to come and invest in a lawless country like Zimbabwe.

Economic analyst Eric Bloch said farm invasions were a cause for concern. He said the disturbances will tarnish Zimbabwe’s image and affect FDI which the country is in dire need of.

“It’s very hard for the government to attract foreign direct investment under such circumstances. Investors don’t like that and they get scared.

“There should be respect for property rights to lure in investors,” Bloch said.

Another economic analyst, Collen Mugozva, echoed similar sentiments adding that the government should put necessary measures to stop the “land madness”.

“The issue of farm invasions is over above us. It will affect investor confidence because no investor would like to invest where there is no rule of law,” he said.

“ The government should work on this for the betterment of the country.”

Affirmative Action Group vice-president Sam Ncube weighed in saying from an empowerment point of view, the issue of farm invasion was over.

Ncube said the people who move around invading other people’s farms should be stopped with immediate effect.

The government has in the past insisted fresh farm invasions would no longer be allowed.

When contacted for comment, Lands and Rural Resettlement minister Douglas Mombeshora said his ministry had not yet received any reports concerning farm invasions, but reiterated that no one has the right to invade other people’s farms.

“We have not yet received reports on farm invasions and as a party, we do not have such a programme.

“No one has a right to settle on someone’s piece of land,” he said.