Posted on 08/05/2002 4:55:49 AM PDT by Clive
AS the 10 August deadline for 3 000 farmers to vacate farms approaches, the Commercial Farmers’ Union (CFU) says farmers who own single farms will not leave but will seek an audience with the government.
Other farmers said they had sold their assets and were winding off their businesses.
Amendments to the Land Acquisition Act gazetted on 10 May 2002, indicated that once a farmer received a Section 8 acquisition order from the government, they had 45 days to cease farming operations and a further 45 days to leave the farm.
The first 45 days expired on 24 June while the 90 days expire at midnight on 9 August.
CFU president Colin Cloete said in an interview: “The government must treat us like Zimbabweans as we are here to stay. This is our country and we cannot go anywhere.”
Cloete said more than 1 000 commercial farmers had been issued with Section 8 orders when they owned only one farm. According to the criteria of compulsory land acquisition, single-owned farms are not supposed to be designated.
“Using myself as an example, I own one farm and I have been told to go. I do not understand the government policy but I will continue to seek dialogue with government until we reach an understanding,” Cloete said.
Cloete said some farmers in their individual capacities were consulting and had applied to the district administration offices and the government for an extension of the deadline as they owned single farms. He said many farmers had unharvested crops and animals on the farms and could not just pack their bags “overnight”. “I am one of the farmers who have applied to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement asking for an extension because I am still grading tobacco, I have an unharvested wheat crop in the field, I have an export garlic crop in the field as well as cattle.”
While some farmers vowed they would stay put after 10 August, some said they were selling their assets to leave as there was no security in farming.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.