(HERALD ZW) MDC officials in land rush
October 15, 2013
Lloyd Gumbo Herald Reporter—
SEVERAL officials from MDC formations have gone behind their parties’ backs and applied for land for resettlement, despite vilifying the empowerment programme in public, which was the raison d’être behind the launch of the opposition on September 11, 1999.
This comes at a time when studies the world over are hailing the success of the programme, with the all-white Commercial Farmers Union — one of the MDCs’ chief sponsors — announcing it cannot continue swimming against the tide and also wants its members to benefit from land reform.
The union has since expressed willingness to work with black farmers’ unions in a federation. Investigations by The Herald showed that officials from the two MDC formations have been applying for farms, with some of them benefiting while others are on the waiting list.
MDC-T Gweru Urban legislator Mr Sessel Zvidzai has expressed his intention to apply for a farm in Cool Maurine in Gweru, while former Gweru Urban MP Mr Roderick Rutsvara applied for land to build a school.
“In Mashonaland East, former Goromonzi South MP, Mr Greenbert Dongo and Chitungwiza provincial member Mr Archiford Marongwe, applied for A2 farms in Goromonzi district.
“But they were told that there are no vacant farms. They were asked to look around for farms that are still under white farmers and advise the ministry. They have not yet briefed the ministry on their findings,” said a source in Mashonaland East Province.
“There is also another MDC-T official from Mashonaland West Province who got a farm in Beatrice. As you may be aware, Tracey Mutinhiri (MDC-T losing candidate for Marondera East) still has her farm that she got when she was still in Zanu-PF.
“Elton Mangoma has a farm along Marondera-Murehwa Road, but he bought it just before the land reform.”
There were indications that MDC-T provincial chairperson for Harare and Glen View South Mr Paul Madzore benefited from the programme.
In Matabeleland North, another source said several MDC-T officials benefited.
“Joel Gabbuza (Deputy MDC-T spokesperson and Binga South MP) has a farm, but I am not sure if he got it through land reform, but what I know is that he benefited from the mechanisation programme. He got a tractor. The party tried to make noise about it, but he didn’t bother.”
Another source from the same province added: “Provincial organising secretary Mr Thembinkosi Sibindi has a farm in Nyamandlovu, provincial secretary for Economic Affairs Mr Agrippa Sithole has a farm in Bubi.
Mr Mark Ncube, the MDC-T Bubi district treasurer, also has one in Bubi.
“Some MDC-T activists who benefited include Esinath Zhou who is wife to Chris Gande of Studio 7. There is also Mr Ernest Ngwenya who benefited in Bubi as well,” said the source.
It is understood some MDC-T legislators in Bulawayo whose identities could not be ascertained also applied, but are on the waiting list.
Among MDC beneficiaries is party leader Professor Welshman Ncube.
“He is into cattle ranching in Somabhula area in Midlands. He is doing well at his farm and has been seen with hundreds of cattle at some auctions conducted in Bulawayo (ZITF Grounds). In fact, he is one of the most successful farmers in the province.
“Former MDC legislator for Insiza South Mr Siyabonga Malandu Ncube also benefited. Another official from the party who joined is Mr Xaba Sibanda who is the Nkayi South district secretary for Transport and Welfare,” said a source.
Mr Gabbuza insisted that his party was against the way land reform was conducted.
“Our party has never been against land reform, but we raised concern about how it was conducted. The exercise was chaotic and violent.
“We know there are no more farms available, but we insist that those who want them should follow proper procedures in applying.
“We have told them that they should make sure they do not get involved in bloody farms where former owners lost blood.
“Our party has also called for title of some sort so that people cannot be evicted willy-nilly,” said Mr Gabbuza.
Mr Madzore said he did not own a farm because his party did not allow them to apply.
“It is not first time stories have been written about me owning a farm. I do not own any farm because my party’s policy is that the land reform was chaotic. We did not have to kill to repossess the land. Our policy as MDC-T, which I respect, restricted me from applying for a farm even
though I wanted it.
“I respect that policy because we agreed to it as a party that we should not take the farms,” said Mr Madzore.
Mr Sibindi confirmed he benefited from the land reform but declined to comment on his party position on the exercise.
MDC spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi, confirmed a number officials in his party applied for land.
“I applied two times and I am yet to receive a response. There are so many people who have applied for land, but I have forgotten their names,” he said.
According to the Zanu-PF manifesto ahead of the July 31 harmonised elections, the historic fast-track land reform programme created employment opportunities and support for the livelihood of over 1,7 mi,lion.
A total of 976 500 (A1) and 113 802 (A2) individuals have benefited from the land reform programme.
Prior to the land reform programme only 348 000 people were employed or had their livelihoods supported by land.
Beneficiaries of the land reform programme also ventured into tobacco farming that had hitherto been the preserve of only 1 547 white commercial farmers.
Farmers resettled under the A1 scheme have benefited from 4 million hectares of land while A2 farmers have received a total of 3,5 million hectares.
The land reform programme has also been cross cutting with 36 343 war veterans, 14 537 women, 727 youths and 130 109 others benefiting from the programme.
About 276 000 indigenous Zimbabweans are now proud owners of 12 117 000 hectares of arable land that was owned by 3500 white farmers. Every year the farmers are pocketing over half a billion in US dollars after selling tobacco.
Labels: HYPOCRISY, LAND REFORM, MDC, RODERICK RUTSVARA, SESSEL ZVIDZAI
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Zvidzai falls out with MDC-T mayor
Saturday, 23 June 2012 19:37
Charlotte Musarurwa
Local Government Deputy Minister Mr Sesel Zvidzai is being accused by
some MDC-T members of trying to arm-twist local authorities into awarding tenders to certain companies. The past few weeks have
seen several mayors who head MDC-T-dominated councils lodging complaints against the deputy minister’s conduct.Gweru Mayor Mr Tedious Chimombe last week visited Mr Zvidzai’s superior, Local Government Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo, to register his displeasure. In a passionate plea, Mr Chimombe said the deputy minister’s interference in council matters was negatively affecting efforts to improve service delivery. Dr Chombo confirmed receiving a complaint from the Gweru mayor, among others.
“Several mayors are complaining about the interference by deputy minister Sesel Zvidzai in their operations,” he said.
“Last week, Gweru Mayor Mr Tedious Chimombe came here complaining that the deputy minister has been forcing him into making decisions that are not in the interest of council, especially in the awarding of tenders and human resource issues.
“It must be noted that there is no room for such behaviour in Government structures as it defeats the whole essence of how a local authority should operate.”
Dr Chombo said he was yet to discuss the matter with Mr Zvidzai as the deputy minister had not been regularly reporting for duty.
“Obviously the most logical and professional thing to do is to meet and discuss the allegations being raised with the deputy minister, but he has not been reporting for duty.
“He is supposed to report to me officially, but I haven’t seen him in office for the past three months,” said Dr Chombo.
In a telephone interview, Mr Zvidzai, however, defended his moves, claiming that he had interfered with the running of Gweru City Council after noting that the mayor had made the wrong decision in firing workers.
“The mayor broke the law when he dismissed workers who had been declared innocent by an arbitration process. Those workers were supposed to be reinstated and I told the mayor to respect the law instead of concentrating on personal vendettas.
“Concerning the tenders, I want to put it on record that I have never interfered with any tender process. Interference can only come when council favours a more expensive proposal when there is a much cheaper alternative,” said Mr Zvidzai, who also dismissed claims that he was not reporting for work.
Labels: MDC CORRUPTION, SESSEL ZVIDZAI
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Mayor wants minister fired
Sunday, 24 April 2011 22:15
By Michael Chideme
ACTING Bindura Mayor Ivory Matanhire (MDC-T) and four councillors from her party are demanding immediate expulsion of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Deputy Minister Sessel Zvidzai, whom they describe as
unfit to hold such a senior Government portfolio.The five accuse Mr Zvidzai of
"gross favou-ritism, divisiveness and working to destroy everyone". "We are MDC-T councillors and
the party will be shocked to find out the kind of damage he has done," claim the five.
Although Mr Zvidzai could not be reached for comment, Acting Mayor Clr Matanhire, Clrs Elizabeth Mafios, Rindai Muchemwa, Mr Daniso Wakatama and Christopher Mazembe visited The Herald on Thursday last week and alleged they are part of a team of councillors from 10 local authorities that met recently and petitioned MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai to relieve Mr Zvidzai of his party and Government duties.
Recently Mr Zvidzai declared that he donated the disgruntled councillors to Zanu-PF.
Their beef with Mr Zvidzai stems from his interference in the management of Bindura Municipality and his open bias against some councillors in favour of a select few. Mr Zvidzai wants suspended Mayor Tinashe Madamombe reinstated while the MDC-T recognises dismissed councillor Mr Wakatama as mayor.
Mr Zvidzai is fighting hard to have Clr Mada-mombe reinstated against the recommendations of the full council which alleges that they cannot work with Clr Madamombe.
Clr Matanhire said the council had approached Mr Zvidzai on several occasions seeking his intervention to resolve the issue of Clr Madamombe, but Mr Zvidzai instead took sides and supported Clr Madamombe.
The council then resolved to approach Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo at which point Mr Zvidzai accused the councillors of dining with Zanu-PF.
"After we realised that the Urban Councils' Act is silent on the role of the Deputy Minister, we decided to approach Minister Chombo who is our boss," said Clr Matanhire.
Clr Muchemwa said he no longer recognises Mr Zvidzai as his boss.
"I no longer recognise him as my Deputy Minister. He is wrongly articulating the party position. Our party recognises Mr Daniso Wakatama as mayor. His communication is parallel to party directives," he said.
Clr Muchemwa accused Mr Zvidzai of selective support to suspended and dismissed MDC-T councillors.
"When Mr Wakatama and Mr Mazembe were suspended and eventually dismissed by Minister Chombo he never raised a finger. What is so special with Clr Madamombe?" he said.
Mr Mazembe said Mr Zvidzai should show magnanimity and either support all party councillors or completely keep his silence.
Clr Mafios said if Mr Zvidzai maintained his stance that he donated them to Zanu-PF, he should fire them from MDC-T. "We are fed up with Mr Zvidzai. We better listen to party secretary general Mr Tendai Biti. His incapacity is the reason at one time Mr Tsvangirai appointed Mr Tapiwa Mashakada to probe the operations of local authorities. We are even comfortable with his deputy at the party Mr Last Maengahama.
"Our leader (Morgan Tsvangirai) should appoint a committee to probe Mr Zvidzai's performance in all local authorities. The party will be shocked," she said.
Labels: MAYOR, MDC, SESSEL ZVIDZAI
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MDC-T run Marondera Town Council faces collapse
Floyd Nkomo
Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:11:00 +0000
ANOTHER MDC-T run local authority, Marondera Town Council, faces collapse after mayor Clr Farai Nyandoro, faces allegations of corruption and gross mismanagement of council affairs.
This is the lastest in a string of mismanaged councils run by that party; including Harare City Council, Chitungwiza Town Council, Redcliff, among others. The news comes as the government has set up a team to investigate the MDC-T run Municipality of Chitungwiza.
Marondera becomes the fifth MDC-T run municipality to be investigated after the ministry sent teams to Chitungwiza, Bindura, Kadoma and Redcliff following similar corruption reports.
The MDC-T Marondera urban district executive has since written to the party leadership, raising its concerns and demanding urgent intervention to save the town from collapse.
Mayor Nyandoro, in turn, accuses the Marondera MDC-T party functionaries of gross interference in council affairs.
He has since written to Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Deputy Minister and MDC-T secretary for local government, Mr Sessel Zvidzai, raising his concerns.
The mayor has also written to Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Ignatius Chombo, seeking assistance on the challenges facing Marondera town.
Deputy Minister Zvidzai on Friday confirmed that the MDC-T Marondera leadership and residents association had written to him raising concern over Mayor Nyandoro’s alleged failure to run the municipality professionally.
The MDC-T party, through a committee led by Hatfield legislator Tapiwa Mashakada, would soon visit Marondera to get first hand information on developments taking place in the Mashonaland East provincial capital, according to reports from the capital, Harare.
"The party’s district executive and residents association have approached me raising concerns over unsatisfactory service delivery. They are very unhappy with the level of service delivery there," said Zvidzai.
Charges against Mayor Nyandoro and his nine councillors include failure to pay employees salaries since September last year. Mayor Nyandoro is also accused of buying suits and mobile phones for his councillors.
The MDC-T Marondera leadership has accused authorities at the Marondera Municipality of employing their relatives amid revelations that one of the councillors recruited 21 relatives.
Labels: IGNATIUS CHOMBO, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MDC CORRUPTION, NEOLIBERALISM, SESSEL ZVIDZAI
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