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Farm disruptions undermine reconstruction efforts
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
September 23, 2009

The MDC condemns the latest wave of farm disruptions taking place across the country as these are seriously undermining reconstruction efforts and upsetting food security and investor confidence in the country.

It is really worrying to note that some Zanu PF bigwigs have taken over large tracts of conservancies in areas such as Mwenezi and Chiredzi in Masvingo province. Over 80 percent of productive farm land and conservancies have been violently taken over in Masvingo province alone in the past six months.

The MDC is equally concerned by the arbitrary arrests of farmers, including several others who had won a reprieve last year following a SADC Tribunal determination.

Since the formation of the inclusive government six farmers have been abducted and 16 arrested for allegedly blocking the land reform programme. These farmers are victims of greed by Zanu-PF politicians and as the MDC, we believe in genuine land reform motivated by need rather than by greed.

The MDC calls for an immediate end to these disruptions and for the police and the inclusive government to put in place mechanisms that bar any current and future land invasions.

The MDC believes in bringing the land crisis to closure through a democratic and participatory process that achieves equitable, transparent, just, lawful and economically efficient distribution and use of land, both for agricultural and other purposes.

The MDC calls for the establishment of a Land Commission under an Act of Parliament that will create an independent, autonomous and professional body to oversee the land-reform process. This Commission will conduct a comprehensive physical and legal audit of land occupation and ownership in Zimbabwe as its first task.

As a Party of excellence, the MDC believes in delivering real change to the people of Zimbabwe with guaranteed security, dignity, democracy and freedoms, prosperity and hope.

Together to the end, marching to a new Zimbabwe.

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