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VICE-President Phelekezela Mphoko

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
VICE-President Phelekezela Mphoko has warned individuals who usurp the duties of land officers by illegally occupying and allocating land, saying they risk arrest.

Speaking at Mvuto Primary School in Umguza District, Matabeleland North on Friday, VP Mphoko said land gained under the land reform programme was not for sale.

He also said individuals seeking land must follow the proper procedure.

“Land is not for sale, those who need it must follow proper channels. We’ve government structures to assist those in need of land. We don’t want to hear that people are paying money to be allocated land. Those who are illegally occupying and allocating land will be in trouble once caught,” said VP Mphoko.

He made the remarks after resettled farmers in Umguza and the local legislator, Cde Obert Mpofu, had briefed him about individuals who were illegally selling land meant for resettlement in Matabeleland North.

VP Mphoko tasked the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland North, Cde Cain Mathema, to look into the issue of land invasions in the province. He said the minister should ensure that sanity was restored in all resettlement areas in the province.

Earlier on, while briefing the VP on the problem of land invasions in his constituency, Cde Mpofu said there were some people who were posing as land officers in Umguza.

“We’ve many criminals here who are posing as land officers or headmen who are allocating land to people illegally. We want to warn them that the law will catch up with them. This area is a resettlement area. No one has been ordained as a headman yet,” said Cde Mpofu.

Meanwhile, VP Mphoko has commended developmental projects taking place in Umguza.

Umguza Rural District Council is constructing a school with the help of Cde Mpofu and his wife, Sikhanyisiwe.

The school will serve primarily children in the resettled area.

VP Mphoko said building of schools enhanced development as it was part of the government’s policy on infrastructural development.

Mvuto Primary School is operating with two classroom blocks.

The VP said it was only through unity of purpose that the school was constructed. “Such projects can only be achieved when people are working together and it’s evident that people here are united. I’m very satisfied with what’s happening in this area as I’ve been told that locals participated in the construction of the school. You’ve exerted yourselves well here,” he said.

VP Mphoko said the country can achieve greater things if people are united and worked in harmony.

“We’re a very rich country with immense natural resources.

“If our people are more united, we would be achieving far much more as a nation, especially through the guidance of our President,” said VP Mphoko.

He took time to interact with the local people who presented their concerns to him. He promised them that some of their issues were being addressed at national level.