Zimbabwe Starts Downsizing Siezed Farms
Mombeshora concedes that there are many farms that far exceed the gazetted size that was allocated according to province.
WASHINGTON DC — Zanu PF sympathizers, including bigwigs, who acquired vast tracts of land under the land reform program or are not utilizing their farms have been gripped with fear following government moves to cut or downsize their land. Lands Minister Douglas Mombeshora told the state-run newspaper that the move to slash farms begins this week in Midlands. Mombeshora concedeed that there are many farms that far exceeed the gazetted size that was designed according to province. The adjusted farms will then be re-allocated, he said. “We want to make it a policy that we will no longer be offering offer letters to farm or plot holders whose land exceeds the recommended sizes approved by government corresponding to regions,” he said. However, some political analysts believe that the government is finally taking action now because of the intra-party upheavals in Zanu PF. Mombeshora said other provinces will start with inspections with a view to downsizing them. Agronomist, Mandla Nkomo, said downsizing farms is not the solution to the failed land reform program. Zimbabwe has made several land audits, whose results have not been made public or any action taken based on them.