We have a fresh list of land grabbers: Zimbabwe newspaper

The MDC-T aligned Daily News say it is in possession of a fresh list of who has grabbed what farms in the country which shows that land grabbers now own five million hectares of Zimbabwe’s best agricultural land, or a third of all the land seized from white commercial farmers and some black business people over the past 11 years.

Daily News say that although not all the details on the list could not be verified with the alleged land grabbers at the time of going to Press, the list says the Mugabe’s own 13 farms, covering more than 15 000 hectares. Some of the farms especially in Norton have been merged into one.

Mugabe's deputy Joice Mujuru, her husband Solomon Mujuru and a host of their relatives allegedly own at least 22 farms.

The only other prominent personality outside of Zanu PF who got a farm is Welshman Ncube from the smaller faction of the MDC.

Among the military top brass are the commander of the defence forces, Constantine Chiwenga, and air marshall Perence Shiri have two farms each.

Police commissioner general Augustine Chihuri is listed as having one farm.

It would appear that virtually all of Zanu PF’s politburo members, members of Parliament and senators were allocated farms.  The former ruling party’s patronage was also extended to many traditional leaders, as well as to some Supreme Court and High Court judges.

Surprisingly though, Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono does not appear on the updated list, with sources even at the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) confirming last night that he bought the farms that he owns.

The director general of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Happyton Bonyongwe is also missing on the list and sources again said he bought his farm believed to be in Manicaland Province.

According to reports from different organisations like the CFU, government’s own investigation and non-governmental organisations, the Mugabe’s own Gushungo Estates (Mazowe), Gushungo Dairies (Mazowe), Iron Mask (Mazowe) , Sigaru farm (Mazowe), Gwebi Wood (Mazowe), Gwinha farm (Banket), Leverdale farm (Banket), Highfield farm (Norton), Cressydale farm (Norton), Tankatara farm (Norton), John O’Groat farm (Norton), Clifford farm (Norton), Smithfield Extension (Mazowe) and Bassville farm (Norton).

Mugabe’s close relatives own more than 20 farms. The relatives include Mugabe’s sisters and nephews, Leo Mugabe and Patrick Zhuwao.

Leo Mugabe owns three farms, Nangadza farm in Mhangura and Journey’s end farm in Makonde, Mashonaland East province and another farm believed to be in Banket. Zhuwao owns Marivale farm in Mazowe.

Mugabe’s late sister Sabina’s farm is listed as Rem Ext of Mlembwe (of Mimosa of Lembwe) in Makonde but the Daily News could not verify the other two farms under her name..

The First Lady’s late brother Reward Marufu is listed as owning Leopards Vlei farm in Glendale and Kachere farm in Mazowe.

Indigenisation and Youth Empowerment Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere is reported as owning three farms in Mazowe which are Usaka, Harmony, Re-extension of Pimento and Conurcorpia.

Commander Defence Forces, Constantine Chiwenga’s family is listed as owning three farms including Chakoma or Risumbeti farm in Goromonzi while his wife, Jocelyn owns Sheppard Hall farm.

According to the lists Local government minister, Ignatius Chombo sources confirmed that he owns Allan Grange and Oldham farms while two other farms are owned by relatives.

State security minister is said to own, Sydney Sekeremayi owns Maganga estate and Ulva farm, it has been said. Legal Affairs minister, Patrick Chinamasa owns Lot 1 of Mirror 2 in Nyazura and Nyazura farm in Rusape.

The lists say the Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu owns Umguza Block 39 farm and Auchenbery of Rochester in Nyamandhlovu.

Kasukuwere became angry when the Daily News made inquiries saying the questions were stupid.

“Go ahead and publish those farms you are talking about. That’s stupid. Those rumours must come to an end. That’s stupid,” Kasukuwere said before cutting off.

Chombo denied that he owns more than one farm and refused to give any details about which farm he owns. He said: “Go back to your sources and confirm with them. Why don’t you check with the Agriculture department? I don’t know about that. Go ahead and publish what you have.”

Sekeramayi cut off his phone soon after the Daily News reporter identified himself.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka said the multiple farm ownership is one of the 24 agreed issues that have not been resolved by the unity government.

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