Government last week wrote to Kasukuwere, through Lands
minister Perrance Shiri, withdrawing its offer for the land, ostensibly for
planning purposes.
lf government has its way, more than 100 permanent workers
and over 300 contract workers will be affected.
“We have about 100 permanent workers and the figure
fluctuates on seasonal workers, but sometimes we go to about 300,” farm manager
Shepherd Siyanganga told The Standard yesterday.
On production, Siyanganga said: “We have seed maize which
is on about 40 hectares. We also have 45 hectares of seed soya. There is also
commercial maize which is on about 45 hectares as well.”
Siyanganga said there were also 25 hectares of commercial
soya.
“We have 124 hectares for citrus, then we have outcrop,
hills and streams covering 80 hectares and the rest is for cattle grazing,” he
said.
Workers yesterday said most of them knew no other home as
they were originally from Mozambique and their families remained worried over
their future. There is also a school, Mazowe Citrus Secondary School.
Workers also spoke glowingly about their working
relationship with Kasukuwere. Kasukuwere yesterday said he would present a
strong case to Shiri on the developments at the farm. He said there was nothing
to warrant the treatment he was getting.
“We will put our case to the minister in terms of what we
are doing. We are doing cultivation on 120 hectares on land which we opened
ourselves. It initially just had citrus only, but we invested on centre pivots,
opened land for irrigation and brought in the water,” Kasukuwere said.
“We did a lot and borrowed from financial companies. There
were only two houses for workers and we have now built more to cater for more
than 100 workers. The farm was just a small part of the estate and no one was
using it.”
Shiri last week wrote to Kasukuwere saying: “Notice of
intention to withdraw land offer under the land reform and resettlement
programme (model A2, Phase 2).
Notice is hereby given that the Ministry of Lands,
Agriculture and Rural Resettlement intends to withdraw the offer of land made
to you in respect of subdivision whole measuring 556.617ha of R/E of Concorpia
Farm in the District of Mazowe in Mashonaland Central province.
“The reasons for the withdrawal are for downsizing for
planning purposes. You are invited to make any representations you may have in
this matter in writing within seven days of receipt of this notification. All
correspondence in this regard should be directed to the Minister,” the letter
read in part.
The former G40 faction kingpin breathed fire accusing
President Emmerson Mnangagwa of being petty and targeting perceived political
rivals. Standard
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