THE Zanu PF Politburo wants Government to regularise
illegal settlements around major cities and compensate the original owners of
the land that was occupied illegally.
The Politburo, which is the party’s highest decision-making
body, arrived at the decision after hours of serious deliberations on the
manner in which land was being distributed in and around towns across the
country.
Government is battling to contain the increasing number of
land-seekers most of whom end up settling illegally on farms or areas around
towns countrywide.
Addressing journalists at the 338 Ordinarily Session of the
Politburo at Zanu PF Headquarters in Harare, the party’s secretary for
Administration Dr Obert Mpofu said the leadership of the party discussed
immensely the issue raised in the meeting, by the party’s deputy secretary for
the Youth League, Cde Tendai Chirau.
“The general feeling among the leadership of the party is
that there was rampant illegal allocation of land in the peri-urban areas of
most of our cities. This was done on land, which is owned by the State, but
individuals at the time allowed people to settle on those pieces of land
illegally. The feeling of the Politburo is that instead of disturbing the
settlers that were illegally allocated land through nefarious activities of
people in leadership positions, Government should formalise the settlements.
“Government should inherit the problem and allow
settlements to remain in those areas and compensate the true owners of that
land if there is need for that. That is the matter, which the youths raised and
it was well received by most members of the Politburo,” said Dr Mpofu.
The Politburo discussed at length the need for Government
to compensate those whose land has been occupied by illegal settlers.
“Instead of destabilising people who have been there for
quite a long time, there is need for Government to compensate those who were
dispossessed of their land through the illegal activities and then compensate
them for their land that had been occupied illegally.
“So that is really the premise within which this position
was taken,” said Dr Mpofu.
In addition, Dr Mpofu said inroads were being made in the
acquisition of land in the provinces where more opportunities would be
available for youths to engage in agriculture.
In a related development, Dr Mpofu said demand for housing
has over the years outstripped supply, driven by rural-to-urban and inter-city
migration in major cities such as Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare, where
people believe there are better prospects for employment. Herald
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