The compensation process of white settler commercial farmers by the State is flawed as it sidelines the critical input of other stakeholders, and also fails to acknowledge labour , which is a key constituency that was affected through the fast tract land reform program, the MDC Alliance has said.

By Tapiwa Chirume

Addressing a press conference today at the Media Centre, MDC Alliance National spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere said that the Global Compensation Deed was concluded without the inclusive participation of Parliament and key stakeholders in violation of the Constitution and the rule of law.

“…the Global Compensation Deed has been concluded without the participation of Parliament and key stakeholders in breach of the Constitution and the rule of law, in particular section 295(4), which requires that any compensation for previously acquired agricultural land must be assessed and paid in terms of an Act of Parliament”.

Mahere also raised concern over the US$ 3.5 billion that has been secretly granted by President Emmerson Mnangagwa government as alleged by the MDC Alliance and a group of liberation compatriots.

“… there is no transparency regarding how the US$ 3,5 billion was computed, how did they identify the beneficiaries and where would the funds come from” she said

She added that the measures in the Government’s land policy must include labour affected by the land reform programme.

“The 4 million former commercial farm workers and about 150,000 seasonal farm workers that have been totally ignored in the correctional phase of the land reform programme must be prioritized and compensated”.

Mahere said that it was necessary for Government to address the anomalies that arose on account of the land reform in the national interest to ensure the nation returns to agricultural productivity and a sustainable and inclusive system of tenure.