[three_fifth][/three_fifth] AGRICULTURE, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development minister Joseph Made is next week expected in Matobo to resolve a land dispute where villagers have protested over alleged illegal parceling out of prime land in the area to outsiders.
BY PRIVILEGE SHOKO
Villagers are angry over the takeover of Agricultural and Rural Development (Arda) Antelope Estate Irrigation Scheme in Maphisa by Trek Petroleum company, saying it is “not only offensive to us people of Matobo, but is insensitive to the plight of hundreds of families that live in the area . . . ”
Trek is accused of encroaching into villagers’ farming lands.
Trek officials who requested anonymity, told Southern Eye that Made was due at the estate on May 27 to check on the progress of agricultural projects, adding the minister was fully behind the project.
“Made will be visiting Antelope Estate next week on Wednesday and we expect you to come so you can see that all these allegations being made against us are not true.
“We do not know about land disputes as our main function is to run agricultural projects as per agreement with Arda,” one of the officials said.
Made could not be reached for comment as his phone rang without an answer.
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Matobo Community Development Forum director Anglistone Sibanda recently appealed to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture and Tourism to intervene in the land dispute with Arda.
“We call upon the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Land, Agriculture and Tourism to come down to Matobo and physically assess the situation and engage with us so we can solve the situation together,” Sibanda said.
He added that the action taken by Arda and Trek was fueling discord and discontentment in the community.
“The unclear circumstances under which Trek got the Antelope Estate irrigation tender does not only indicate possible underhand dealings, but creates animosity between Arda, Trek and the community.
There is no clarity with regard the local beneficiation from arrangements previously made and terms between the two parties are unclear,” he added.
The forum has said it would engage Lands and Rural Resettlement minister Douglas Mombeshora to dissolve the Matobo Lands Committee accused of engaging in corrupt activities
