EX-COMBATANTS from Zapu’s military wing during the armed struggle are demanding US$20 billion as compensation for properties that were confiscated by the government at the height of Gukurahundi.
Some of the land is being parcelled out now and President
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally Scott Sakupwanya has been named as one of the recent
beneficiaries of the properties belonging to Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary
Army (ZPRA).
Zapu and ZPRA have been demanding the release of their
properties such as farms and buildings that are listed as Caveats in the title
deeds for decades, but without success.
In a High Court application filed in Harare last week, ZPRA
ex-combatant coordinating committee member, war veteran Fredrick Mutanda and
Ben Ncube, the ZPRA chairperson demanded billions as compensation.
They cited Betterbrands Construction, Chaminuka Estates,
Broadhaven Construction and Environmental Management Agency as the respondents
respectively.
“However, on June
26, 2020, the late comrade Air Chief Marshal Shiri retired, Minister of Lands,
Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, transferred the eight (8) properties
that comprised Nijo to Zanu PF,” the court papers add.
“For 40 years, certain ZPRA properties were transferred to
individuals or private developers infringing section 71(3)(c)(ii) of the
Constitution…
“Thus, Nijo Produce (Private) Limited was transferred to
Chaminuka Estate (Private) Limited without any compensation to the 23 950 ZPRA
liberation war ex combatants, who either joined the security sector or were
disarmed, demobilised, and did not take part in any armed confrontation.
“Government and white farmers agreed to a financial
compensation of US$3,5 billion on properties seized during the fast track
resettlement programme 20 years ago.
“Yet, for 40 years the 23 950 ZPRA liberation war ex
combatants are still waiting for their properties. Therefore, a financial
compensation for the seized and redeveloped properties of US$20 billion is fair
and adequate.”
Mnangagwa met ZPRA ex-combatants in 2018 and 2019 where he
promised to facilitate the release of the seized properties, but he has reneged
on his promise.
“The amount (US$20 billion) was adopted using the most
limited, conservative method and it would be possible to increase the amount on
the assumption of assets, livestock, the extent of development and production
at the time in February 1982, the court papers add.
“Priority is to support survivors and dependants of ZPRA
liberation war special forces who contributed all their money but had not
completed their education and were forced into civilian life.”
The ex-combatants revealed that Sakupwanya was one of the
beneficiaries of the properties. Standard
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