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Minister Walter Mzembi

Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi has been accused of siding with a white farmer in a land wrangle pitting Zanu-PF Matobo North MP Never Khanye and Dave Waddy.

Khanye, who was issued with an offer letter by the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement in December last year, is seeking to evict Waddy from the 692,5 hectare Mhlahlandlela farm which encompasses Big Cave Camp in Matopo.

Mzembi is opposing the MP’s move saying the farm is a thriving designated tourism facility under his ministry.

Khanye has since filed a court application to evict the white farmer.

Waddy was served with a notice to vacate the farm within 45 days in January this year by the district lands committee.

However, he sought Mzembi’s assistance who in turn wrote to Lands Minister Cde Douglas Mombeshora pleading with him to reconsider the move to allocate the farm.

“I note with dismay that the District lands officer of Matobo district proceeded to issue a notice to vacate to the current owners of Mhlahlandlela farm where the Big Cave/lodge, a thriving tourism facility under my ministry, is located.

“This is in spite of my averments to you Honourable Minister, in a letter of 16 December 2014 that the matter be considered and handled in a manner consistent with the current thrust of national policy on indigenisation and empowerment, which I quoted from the 2015 budget for your ease of reference,” wrote Mzembi.

“I must plead with you once more to reconsider this matter, otherwise it will severely undermine the sector going forward.”

Waddy approached the High Court which barred Khanye from taking over the farm in February this year.

In a final order granted on February 10, 2015, Justice Martin Makonese said the land was owned by the white farmer.

“It’s declared that the piece of land known as the remaining extent of Mhlahlandlela of Mineral King situated in the district of Matobo is owned by the applicant and is not State land. The offer letter issued by the first respondent (Ministry of lands) to the third respondent (Khanye) dated 8th December, 2014 be and is hereby set aside,” reads the order.

Following the judgment, Khanye filed another court application at the High Court and the matter is yet to be concluded.

In an interview yesterday, the MP said Mzembi had no authority to interfere in the matter.

“I’ve an offer letter from the Ministry, I must be the one occupying that farm, as for Mzembi, he’s not an acquiring officer, this matter must be handled by the Ministry of lands. It’s the Minister ( of lands) who must elaborate further,” said Khanye.

Ministers Mombeshora and Mzembi were not available for comment yesterday.