TRANSPORT and Infrastructure Development minister Obert Mpofu yesterday blasted people behind the latest round of land invasions, describing them as criminals bent on self-enrichment and tarnishing the name of Zanu PF.
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Mpofu, who is Zanu PF secretary for economic affairs, said people behind the land invasions were thugs who did not have the blessing of Zanu PF.
“Where were you when we took land?” he asked. Mpofu was briefing the Bulawayo business community on President Robert Mugabe’s recent “successful” tour of China during a breakfast meeting organised by the Chronicle.
The minister’s rebuke of the fresh land invaders was in response to a question by journalist Annastaciah Ndlovu who asked ministers what the government was doing to stop renewed farm invasions in Matabeleland.
The minister agreed that the invasions were a disservice to government efforts to coax investors to pump money into the sick economy.
“These land invasions are illegal and as the party, we do not support that. Land was taken long ago,” he said. “Land redistribution was done and completed and those people going around wearing party regalia purporting to be the party members are liars and they don’t represent the party.
“Those who are doing it are opportunists and criminals.”
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Mpofu’s outburst follows renewed invasions of farms in Bulawayo and some parts of Matabeleland South.
A farmer David Connolly in Figtree is under relentless pressure to vacate his Centenary Farm to pave way for Mugabe’s top aide Ray Ndhlukula, the deputy chief secretary to the president and Cabinet.
Other people claiming to be Zanu PF activists recently invaded Mazwi Nature Reserve which is owned by the Bulawayo City Council.
