Zanu PF Officials Fight Over South African Sugar Milling Giant
Obert Pepukai
02.05.2013
CHIREDZI, MASVINGO — Temperatures are rising in Masvingo Province where Zanu
PF supporters with offer letters to own sugarcane plots are calling for the
immediate closure of Tongaat Hullet, the country’s sole sugar producer in
Chiredzi, for failing to allocate them promised pieces of land amid reports
that some senior Zanu PF officials are fighting to take over the South
African sugar milling giant.
At least 200 Zanu PF supporters, who earlier this year were issued with
offer letters to enter into the lucrative sugar production business, are
growing impatient with Tongaat Hullet, which is allegedly backtracking on an
earlier agreement to allocate them pieces of land.
Tongaat Hulett is said to have promised to clear about 4,000 hectares of
land to allocate to the new farmers following threats from some Zanu PF
supporters to take over some of its cane fields.
Speaking on behalf of the new farmers, Albert Matambo told VOA Studio 7 they
are prepared to take the law into their own hands and close the sugar
milling giant if it does not start allocating the cane plots.
Chiredzi East legislator Abraham Sithole, the chairman of the Cane Farmers
Association, has already given the company an ultimatum to honour its
promise.
Mr. Sithole wants the government to intervene immediately to avoid action he
said could be regrettable.
It also emerged yesterday that Zanu PF bigwigs are fighting to take over the
sugar company, which according to Indegenisation Minister, Saviour
Kasukuwere, has failed to comply with the country’s black empowerment laws.
Two Zanu PF factions, one allegedly led by Defence Minister Emmerson
Mnangagwa and the other by Vice President Joice Mujuru have been dragged
into the issue.
Tongaat Hullet chief executive officer Sydney Mutsambiwa refused to comment,
preferring to receive written questions in advance.
Experts warn the closure of the company will lead to massive job losses in
addition to serious sugar shortages in the country.