5 000 Masvingo families face eviction

MORE than 5 000 families illegally settled at Magudu Ranch in Masvingo North are set to be evicted to pave way for a multi-million cattle ranching project involving Agricultural Rural Development Authority (ARDA) and a private investor, an official has said.

Magudu Farm measuring about 12 000 hectares was operating as a thriving cattle ranch prior to the illegal settlement at the height of land reform in 2002.

Agricultural, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Deputy Minister responsible for Cropping Cde Davis Marapira said the families in question will be moved to pave way for the ambitious project.

He however, said the Government has agreed to divide the land and create a portion, about 5 000 hectares for resettling the affected families.

“There are more than 5 000 families sparsely settled at Magudu Ranch. Government has resolved to evict these families to pave way for a multi-million dollar cattle ranching project involving ARDA and a private company in a joint venture set up,” said Cde Marapira.

“ARDA has however, agreed to divide the farm into two portions of 5 000 hectares and 7 000 hectares to accommodate the affected families. The families should be moved to the 5 000 hectares and the demarcations have so far been done as we speak.”

Deputy Minister Marapira said the evictions will be done with the assistance of the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement adding that the project is set to start soon after the families have been moved.

He said the project is part of the strategies to resuscitate Arda operations which have not been spared by the effects of illegal economic sanctions. — @walterbmswazie3