CHIREDZI – The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture and Rural Development last week expressed concern over new farmers who invaded 4 000 hectares of Tongaat Hullet Zimbabwe’s land and are refusing to leave despite orders to do so.
The committee, which is chaired by Justice Mayor Wadyajena, toured the company’s operations last week and criticised the land invasions. Members also promised to push for the issuance of a 99-year lease for the sugar company’s 29 000 ha of land to ensure security of tenure.
Committee members enquired on the impact of the land invasions as well as about whether the company had any paperwork like title deeds or lease agreements to secure ownership of the land.
In response, Tongaat Hullet managing director Sydney Mutsambiwa said the company had no documents to safeguard the investment.
He said they were looking upon the government concerning the matter and were also hoping for a cordial resolution of conflict with the new farmers.
“Part of the land we own in Mkwasine Estates was allocated to new farmers and currently we don’t have any advice from the government concerning leases. We are waiting for a way forward from the government.
“We are also spectators between court cases between the government and the beneficiaries as the High Court ruled that the ministry had no veto to withdraw offer letters from the farmers. The issues are still in courts and we hope the issue will be resolved quickly and amicably in a manner that will safeguard the root of the crop,” said Mutsambiwa.
Temba Mliswa, who is member of the committee, indicated that presidential orders were final and that they were supposed to be enforced with urgency. Former President Mugabe left a word on the new farmers that they should leave Tongaat Hullet land.
“If this issue was resolved by the former president, why are these farmers still refusing to vacate the plots? Presidential orders are final and people must respect such orders,” said Mliswa.
During his welcome address, Mutsambiwa had revealed that Tongaat Hullet Zimbabwe is largely owned by the South African government which is the biggest single shareholder of Tongaat Hullet South Africa.
“Tongaat Hullet Limited is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and owns 100 percent of where we are today, Triangle Limited and 50.3 percent of Hippo Valley Estates Limited.
“The biggest single shareholder of Tongaat Hullet Limited in South Africa is the Public Investment Corporation of South Africa which is a pension fund of the South African government,” said Mutsambiwa.
Tongaat Hullet’s investments in Zimbabwe, however, fall under a Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) which obligates the government to exempt the company’s properties from compulsory acquisition for redistributive or any other purpose.local

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – Aleck Livombo, who resides at plot 56 Altornburg under Chief Chitanga, was on Wednesday last week left destitute after the messenger of court, who was armed with an eviction order, reportedly demolished his houses while all his property was still inside.
Livombo’s three-roomed house and a kitchen hut were destroyed to pave way for Talent Munda who was granted the ownership of the plot by the Magistrates’ Court.
Speaking to TellZim News, Livombo accused his two sisters and brother of conniving to sell the plot which used to be owned by their late mother.
“The messenger of court had earlier on came on Tuesday to give me a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate the land. When they came on Wednesday, I was not present but my wife was there. So they came and destroyed my house while all the property was inside.
“I had been living there with my mother since year 2000. It is unfortunate that my two sisters and brother connived during mother’s last days and sold the property to someone elese without the knowledge of all of us as a family.
“I have nowhere to go and with the current rains, I am really in dilemma so I have engaged a lawyer,” said Livombo.
Efforts to get a comment from the Mwenezi messenger of court were fruitless by the time of going to print.local

CHIPINGE – A 42-year-old Chipinge man was recently arrested by the police for allegedly raping a 14-year-old mentally-challenged juvenile.
Simeon Ziyapi, of Gumira village under Chief Mapungwana, pounced on the girl while she was alone at home and dragged her into the bushes where he raped her.
Chipinge district police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Blessing Kadzuraumera confirmed the incident.
“The accused, Ziyapi, was building a toilet at the residence of the complainant’s mother but later took advantage of the situation when the juvenile was left home alone in the morning.
“After the act, the girl was threatened and ordered not to tell anyone about the rape otherwise she would be assaulted but she nonetheless gathered enough courage and told her mother who then reported the matter to the police,” said Ass Insp Kadzuraumera.
He urged the public not to leave children with disabilities alone as they are at a bigger risk of getting raped than anybody else.local

TellZim Reporter

CHIPINGE – A 48- year-old Chipinge man was recently arrested by the police for allegedly kidnapping his own five-months-old daughter.
The estranged father, Johannes Maphosa of Wess Farm, Peg 3, allegedly made a plan to steal the baby from his wife, Elizabeth Mhlanga, from whom he is separated.
Chipinge district police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Blessing Kadzuraumera confirmed the incident which occurred at Naffaton farm under chief Mutema.
Ass Insp Kadzuraumera said Maphosa was still assisting police to find the child.
“On the day in question, Maphosa went to Mhlanga’s residence at Naffaton Farm and entered her bedroom without permission. The two are no longer living together as they separated due to domestic disputes.
“Maphosa found Mhlanga sleeping and went on to pick up the baby and stormed out of the house but he realised that Mhlanga had seen him so he vanished into the maize fields.
“Mhlanga tried to go after him but to no avail. She decided to call for help from neighbours from her village but no one came to help. A police report was made leading to the arrest of the accused.
“The baby, Nyashadzashe Maphosa, is yet to be found, though his father is in police custody,” said Ass Inspector Kadzuraumera.local

CHIVI – Ward 6 prospective councillor, Godfrey Huruva Mukungunugwa, is working to endear himself to voters by mobilising resources to spruce-up facilities at the dilapidated Maramba Primary School.
Huruva, who is a member of the provincial arm of the Zanu PF youth league, has launched an ambitious bid to raise US$22 000 for the refurbishment of the school and US$6 000 had been by the time of writing.
The young politician is working closely with Maramba Primary School Development Committee (SDC) to make sure conditions improve as quickly as possible.
Last week, he organised a fundraising ceremony at the school where he encouraged parents to join hands for the betterment of the school.
The school suffered extensive damage during the La Nina-induced floods of the 2016/2017 rainy season and all its classroom blocks and furniture are in extremely bad shape.
The fundraising event was graced by Chivi Rural District Council (RDC) chairperson Dr Killer Zivhu, incumbent Ward 6 Councillor Cleopas Magwizi, Chief Chivi and Member of Parliament for Chivi North, Mathias Tongofa.
Zivhu donated 200 bags of cement and roofing material towards the cause.local

GWERU – Popular night club, Takarangana, which was closed for two years, has reopened under a new name a Powerhouse Night Club.
Speaking to TellZim News, Powerhouse Night Club manager, Dennis Murewa said the focus was on changing the image of the club altogether by giving customers greater value for their money.
“Yes, the club is now under new management and we promised our old patrons to come and feel the new taste. New customers are also welcome as we definitely have great entertainment in stock for them,” said Murewa.
He said under the new management, the club will be used as a launch pad for upcoming artists to perform and showcase their talent to revelers.
“We want to make this club a mentorship ground for the young talented musicians that we have across the province. We believe such platforms will give them some vital lime light,” said Murewa.local