Exiled Zimbabwean politician Patrick Zhuwao, the late former president Robert Mugabe’s nephew says he did not get allocated a farm because he was Mugabe ‘s Relative.
Zhuwao was speaking on SABC3 during a televised interview. He said only ED Mnangagwa has the power to revoke the ‘state of art’ land offer.
“The stunt by ED is meant to stifle dissent especially in Zimbabwe where there are about 300 000 family beneficiaries and senior officials who derive their livelihood on agriculture”, said Zhuwawo.
He added: “the farm is an integrated hybrid cropping and livestock enterprise using state-of-the-art technology that we have been introducing since we were allocated the farm. It was structured to produce a special breed of quality beef cattle weaners for new farmers who need fast-growing but hardy and resilient cattle”.
The farm was capitalised through bank loans, which were offset by profits from productivity.
Diandra Farm, covering 827ha in Mashonaland West province, was allocated to Zhuwao on December 9 2004.
But a recent letter of notice sent to Zhuwao by the ministry of agriculture, water, climate and rural settlement ordered him to cease operations and vacate the land.
He said, political affiliation cannot stop him from being a farmer, ” I have been a farmer and I will always be a farmer”.
The move by the government will lead to food insecurity because the farm was benefiting the country a lot.
Meanwhile, Zhuwawo is promising to fight for his farm therefore he will challenge the government in court.
” I can contribute more not only in Zimbabwe but Africa. The toxic environment in Zimbabwe is stopping people from contributing to the betterment of the nation”.
