Zimbabwe’s plan to compensate white farmers whose land was acquired for resettlement has hit a snag. A group of war veterans, led by Joseph “Ginger” Chinguwa, has challenged the agreement, arguing that it’s “unconstitutional.” Because, you know, paying billions to white farmers while war veterans struggle in poverty doesn’t exactly scream “fairness.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government agreed to pay US$3.5 billion to just over 4,000 farmers for improvements to the land, not the land itself. The scheme, announced in 2020, has made little progress, with only US$3 million paid for 378 farms so far. The snail’s pace of the compensation process has left many wondering if the government is genuinely committed to fulfilling its obligations.
The war veterans are questioning the secrecy around the deal and the methodology of calculating what is due to each farmer. Chinguwa said, “The government has not disclosed how it assessed and valued the US$3.5 billion… There must be a disclosure of the improvements that were being valued. Is it dams? Is it buildings? Is it anything permanently affixed to the land?” The war veterans are also concerned that the compensation agreement may not be transparent or fair.
The war veterans are arguing that the compensation agreement requires a new law of parliament to be implemented. They claim that the government’s actions are “ultra vires the provisions of section 295(4) of the constitution of Zimbabwe.” In simpler terms, they’re saying the government acted outside the constitution. The war veterans are seeking a court declaration that the compensation agreement is unconstitutional and void.
If the war veterans win in court, the entire compensation scheme could be in jeopardy. This would not be a great start to Mnangagwa’s efforts to restore ties with western governments. The decision to compensate white farmers has already divided Zanu PF, with some members believing the money would be better spent on public infrastructure and social programs.
The war veterans’ court application echoes similar sentiments. “Land was at the epicentre of our struggle for independence. As war veterans, we are particularly concerned that US$3.5 billion is being paid to farmers when we war veterans are dying and languishing in deep poverty across the length and breadth of the country and our hospitals are without medicines and schools without textbooks.” The war veterans are questioning the priorities of the government and the fairness of the compensation scheme.
The matter is yet to be set down for hearing. Will the war veterans succeed in their challenge? Will the compensation scheme be scrapped? Only time will tell. One thing’s for sure, though: this legal tussle is about to get very interesting. The outcome will have significant implications for the country’s relations with western governments and the livelihoods of thousands of people.
Key Players
– Joseph “Ginger” Chinguwa: War veteran and leader of the group challenging the compensation agreement
– President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Leader of Zimbabwe and initiator of the compensation plan
– Tendai Biti: Rights lawyer and former finance minister representing the war veterans
Section 295(4) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe: “The State must compensate individuals whose agricultural land is acquired by the State for improvements that were on the land when it was acquired.” The war veterans are arguing that this section requires a new law of parliament to be implemented to give effect to the compensation agreement.
source -zimlive
