Minister defends police in Inogo saga

The Midlands Observer – Kwekwe – Friday 21 August 2009  Minister defends police in Inogo Farm saga By Flata Kavinga THE co-Minister of Home Affairs Giles Mutsekwa has denied that the police failed to uphold the rule of law at Inogo Farm in Kwekwe, where cases of assault and arson were reported recently.  Minister Mutsekwa was responding to a question by Kwekwe constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Blessing Chebundo during a Parliamentary debate. MP Chebundo asked the co-Minister of Home Affairs to explain why the minister was failing to uphold the rule of law at Inogo Farm where arson and assaults, which he said were committed with impunity had become the order of the day, were reported. The farm, which was formerly owned by Gerhardus Hermanus Grove, was allocated to Banani Mariswa and prominent Kwekwe lawyer, Martin Makonese.  Here is the minister’s response, which was published in the 29 July issue of The Hansard was as follows: Speaker Sir, it is not correct to allege that police have failed to uphold the rule of law at Inogo farm in Kwekwe, neither is it correct that arson and assault have become the order of the day at Inogo farm. It must be realised that Mr G H Grove made reports on behalf of his workers, which they have in turn denied making. Police investigations became difficult under such circumstances. “The correct position is that in 2001, the farm was acquired for resettlement under the land reform programme and former farm owner H G Grove was duly served with notices but he refused to vacate the farm and commenced lengthy court actions against the Government through the Bulawayo High Court. The farm was allocated to B Marwisa and M Makonese, who both hold valid offer letters. The two beneficiaries then moved their workers on to their allocated land, which resulted in several clashes with the former farmer’s workers. “H G Grove was arrested and charged for contravening Section 3(3) of the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act Chapter 20:28 under Kwekwe Rural CR 11/06/07. He was taken to court and remanded out of custody on bail. Grove returned to the farm resulting on his arrest under the same Act in Kwekwe Rural CR81/06/07. The two dockets have been to court since February 19 2009. Grove defaulted court and was issued with a warrant of arrest, which was subsequently cancelled. He was granted a stay of prosecution by the High Court. Grove is also applicant number 25 on the cases referred to the SADC Tribunal in May 2008. The following are cases reported by H G Grove on behalf of his workers (CR Ref) 92/02/09 (offence) assault, (position) accused paid fine, (CR Ref) 38/03/09 (offence) theft (position) incomplete A03/09, (CR Ref) 90/05/09 (offence) threats of violence (position) under investigation, (CR Ref) 94/05/09, (offence) theft of maize (position) under investigations, (CR ref) 18/06/09. (offence) theft of iron sheets, (position) under investigations, (CR Ref) 16/06/09, (offence) theft of electric cables, (position) under investigations, (CR Ref) 07/07/09, (offence) theft of iron sheets, (position) under investigations, (CR Ref) 18/07/09, (offence) stock theft, (position) under investigations. “No cases of arson have been reported so far. “The police are investigating all cases and will refer to the dockets when they are complete. Grove’s continued illegal occupation of the farm and has continued to cause clashes between his workers and those of the beneficiaries. “Whilst the police continue to uphold the rule of law, it is hoped that the relevant Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs should timeously conclude the dispute once and for all.