The tussle over former Local Government minister Saviour
Kasukuwere’s farm, involving a top war veteran, has taken a new twist following
revelations that disruptions at the Mazowe property could result in the
destruction of 77 hectares of import quality citrus fruits.
Ephanos Mudzimunyi, a Zimbabwe National Liberation War
Veterans Association senior leader, took over exiled Kasukuwere’s Concopia Farm
after he was given the nod by Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri early this
year.
Mudzimunyi immediately started harvesting the main crop at
the farm — oranges — but Kasukuwere’s workers said this was being done without
watering or pruning the fruit trees that are already wilting.
They said this endangered the 4 166 orange trees that have
not been watered, pruned or fumigated for more than a month due to lack of
resources, farm equipment, as well as knowledge on plantation management.
The farm has 40 000 tonnes of high grade oranges, which
could be lost in the next harvest cycle.
“Those who invaded the farm do not have tractors or any
farming equipment, but instead, are harvesting the citrus fruits, neglecting
the other important aspects, which include watering, fumigation and pruning the
trees,” an employee said.
“This will mean the survival of these trees for the next
season is in doubt.”
There are already fierce fights at the farm, pitting
Kasukuwere’s workers and Mudzimunyi’s team, which has resulted in a case of
vandalism of farm equipment being filed against the war veteran.
Last week, youths linked to Mudzimunyi allegedly punctured
a tractor’s tyres after a dispute over the harvesting of oranges.
A report was filed at the police station under case number
RRB 4304459 and police investigations are still underway.
Kasukuwere’s employees, who refused to be named fearing
victimisation, said their livelihoods were under threat, as their employer
could not pay them salaries because he had lost part of the farm produce after
the invasion.
At least 400 workers have been affected by the controversial
farm takeover.
There are accusations that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s
government is punishing Kasukuwere for his links with former president Robert
Mugabe.
Farm workers said the farm had the capacity to produce 39
000 tonnes of oranges per season, with a 10kg packet fetching at least US$3. The harvest is continuing regardless of the court order.
Mudzimunyi and his group have also taken over the pump
station and horticultural gardens around the pump station, which used to
support livelihoods of around 15 farm workers.
Workers said without electricity from Kasukuwere’s farm
house, the pump house will be useless, as it will not be able to pump water
from Mazowe Dam.
Kasukuwere’s farm manager refused to comment, referring all
questions to his boss.
The former Zanu PF commissar said despite following the
laws of the country and obtaining court orders, which allow him to continue
with operations undisturbed, his workers had been harassed, property looted and
fruit trees destroyed.
“We have obtained the court order that allows us to operate
without hindrance, but our operations continue to be hampered, property is
being looted, while fruit trees are also destroyed, despite the massive
investment we have made,” he said.
Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe following Mugabe’s ouster in a
military coup in November 2017.
Kasukuwere, together with the likes of former Higher
Education minister Jonathan Moyo and former Youth minister Patrick Zhuwao, who
were part of the G40 faction in Zanu PF, were forced into exile. Standard
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