Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
WORKERS at Maleme Farm have resumed work after a month-long break following a land dispute between the community and a senior state intelligence officer. Hostilities came to an end on Sunday after government intervention. Villagers running projects at the farm said on Tuesday that they had lost tens of thousands of dollars in potential income during the forced break.

Activity at the farm stopped abruptly after the district intelligence officer Rodney Mashingaidze took over the farm allocated to him by the Ministry of Lands and Rural Settlement, sparking protests by locals.

Mashingaidze’s workers are said to have moved out of the farm on Monday night, a day after Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s visit to the farm.

The Chronicle yesterday observed that normalcy had returned to the farm as workers were busy at their various sections.

Although the Vice President’s decision sparked joyous parties in Kezi and Matobo district, workers at the farm looked subdued.

On seeing the news crew’s vehicle, the workers looked scared and suspicious that they could be chased away again.

The tomato and butternut crops at Shalom where Mashingaidze had been allocated land wilted because they were not being watered.

Phathani Sibanda, the farm manager said the workers were still in disbelief that they were back permanently on the farm.

“Don’t worry about them, they’re still in shock. They went through a lot during the past month. All business here had to stop as we were barred even from coming here to water our crops,” said Sibanda.

“They even refused to allow our boys to feed the chickens and we threatened to report them to the SPCA.”

Sibanda said they lost about $68,000 from the butternut and tomato crop due to the month long land wrangle.

“Normally we harvest about 100, 000 to 110, 000 tonnes of tomatoes and butternut which we take to the market but this year it’s a different case. We had harvested 15 tonnes of butternut on the day we were booted out,” said Sibanda.

Sibanda said they lost only 18 chickens during the first week they were blocked from feeding them.

The workers on Tuesday harvested the little that remained of tomatoes.

At Shalom, there are about 10, 000 layer birds.

“Nearby farms have been taken over by some people, but there was stiff resistance for this one. Ask yourself why …it’s because of what it means to the people around this area,” said Sibanda.

The Shalom Project works hand in hand with Ebenezer Agricultural Training Centre.

Maleme Farm, according to Sibanda, was also allocated to three other people, Clever Dube, late Crispen Ndlovu and a Mabhikwa.

“This farm in total measures 2,500 hectares with Cunningham being allocated 1,000 hectares of which he has given 700 hectares to the community. Soon after the division of the farm, we were forced to sell 3,000 ostriches as they require a lot of space,” said Sibanda.

Cunningham used to be among the biggest suppliers of ostrich meat in the country.

Sibanda said they were forced to sell the birds at a much lower price and there are only 62 birds remaining on the farm.

Cunningham confirmed that his workers had resumed work.

“They’re back at work, I hear Mashingaidze moved out last night (Monday),” said Cunningham who was in Bulawayo on business.

Villagers in the area are still in a happy mood.

They appreciated government’s timely intervention as it has protected their source of livelihood.

“Mntanami, we still can’t believe that the Lord heard our pleas, we survive from the farm projects and taking it away meant death to us . I was born and bred in this area and now I’ve grandchildren whom I’m looking after from the income we get from the farm,” said 65-year-old Maria Dube.

A rock near Maleme Farm is written in bold: “Maleme NO! Maleme our heritage.We want development under Zim-Asset yes!’’.

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko went to the farm on Sunday to resolve a month-old dispute between Mashingaidze – who was allocated the farm on February 1 this year and Cunningham.

Three traditional chiefs – Nyangazonke, Masuku and Mathema – joined a determined lobby of villagers who campaigned against the farm take-over.

They said the farm was benefiting at least 800 families, with Cunningham being credited for assisting locals with various projects, including chicken breeding and teaching them modern farming methods.

Mphoko said the Ministry of Lands and Rural Settlement would identify another farm for Mashingaidze.

“Mashingaidze is a Zimbabwean who is entitled to a farm like anybody else,” the VP said.