FORMER Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere has
applied that Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri be found in contempt of court
after defying an order to abort operations at his Mazowe farm.
This comes after the High Court recently granted an interim
order for Shiri to be interdicted from interfering with Kasukuwere’s farming
operations at the remainder of Corncorpia Farm in Mazowe.
However, the court heard, Shiri has disregarded the court
order by taking possession of the land from May 10.
“In blatant disregard of the court order, the respondent
had deliberately refused to comply. The respondent has from May 10, taken
possession of the farm thereby denying the applicants an exercise of their
rights in terms of the court order,” Kasukuwere said.
“The conduct is not inexcusable at law and there is no
lawful reason for his actions … they are a deliberate slight to the dignity of
this honourable court.”
Kasukuwere was offered occupancy of Corncorpia Farm in
Mazowe in September 2002 in terms of the Agricultural Land Settlement Act.
He said since then, he had been in peaceful occupation of
the farm, adding that the Lands minister Shiri had tried but failed to withdraw his offer letter.
“Unexpectedly and on May 6, 2020, the respondents came and
invaded the farm. They have forcibly settled on the farm. They resisted the
security personnel on the farm and threatened my farm workers with unspecified
action as well as violence. They had brought some property on the farm and have
started invading my fields and reaping my crops.
“Their settlement on the farm and their activities thereon
are against my will. They have no right to occupy my farm and no right to
interfere with my farming activities or conduct any farming activities on the
farm,” Kasukuwere said. Daily News
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