SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MVUMA- Inhoek farm villagers in Mashenjere, Mvuma have allegedly been coerced into signing agreement compensation forms by suspected dreaded CIO operatives to pave way for their displacement from their ancestral land where Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) has constructed its US$1.5 billion plant.
The villagers are also opposing their relocation to the new site saying the newly constructed houses have already developed cracks which make them uninhabitable.
The villagers argue that the compensation undervalues their hard earned properties which they developed 40 years back. They are praying for the company to pay at least US$5 000 as land preparation fee.
Villagers who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of the CIO agents said they were left with no option and were forced to sign the agreement documents against their will.
A 70-year -old man said he was denied time to consult and seek legal advice.
“I was forced to sign the documents against my will. On the first day,I refused to sign because I didn’t agree that the houses I built at my homestead were going to be compensated with just one main house at the new site. The following day, I was told that the whole group had already signed and I told myself that I was not going to win a fight against the government. I was forced to put my signature on the white papers and one of the officers was my witness,” he said.
He said they were called for a meeting on November 8 last year to meet officials from the Lands Ministry and were shocked by the arrival of the CIO at the meeting.
He said their presence instilled fear in them and led the majority to append signatures to the documents.
“We were all afraid of the presence of CIOs and our village head was confronted by the officers after he attempted to resist relocation.
“After the meeting, we led the officials to the new relocation site with hopes that they will appreciate our concerns that the houses have already developed some cracks but they did not care. They only told us that officials from the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities were coming to assess the severity of the cracks and they are yet to come,” he said.
In its recent report, Centre for Research and Development (CRD) highlighted that the farmers were struggling to defend their rights.
The report cited intimidation, death threats and arrests by security agencies.
“On 8 November, 2024, officials from the Ministry of Lands railroaded elderly inhabitants of Inhoek farm to consent to relocation by signing compensation agreement forms. The farmers requested time with the documents to consult and have their concerns addressed before consenting to the mutual agreement. Some elderly farmers requested permission to take pictures of the consent forms to send to their children on WhatsApp but they were denied.
“Farmers were warned that resisting consenting documents would be regarded as going against the government…,” reads part of the report
The report also highlighted that farmers raised their concerns about the nature of the newly constructed houses which have already developed cracks.
In the report, farmers said Dinson was using brick force sparingly for reinforcing walls. They also observed that the builders were using 4 or 5 inches instead of the standard thickness of 8 to 10 inches recommended in constructing exterior walls for housing.
The report said the aggrieved farmers aired their grievances through writing a letter which was copied to the Office of the President and Cabinet, Industry and Commerce Ministry and the Ministry of Lands.
In an interview, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said the evaluation process was fairly conducted.
“All was done properly and was above board. You can still find out that even a farmer with a one -room kitchen hut would demand a huge compensation figure.
“I would want to advise these farmers to form a committee which I will lead so that we make sure that their grievances are addressed,” he said.
Dinson Public Relations officer Joseph Shoko said compensation process has started.
“People should stop peddling lies, everything was done properly . Farmers were asked to open accounts so that their money will be deposited,” he said.
Manhize villagers however have a history of being victimised by security agencies.
In 2022, about 100 villagers from Inhoek Farm protested against the Chinese miner over loss of land.
After the demonstration, those who were actively involved were pursued by security agencies and were forced to run away and seek refuge in the nearby mountains for weeks
In February last year, seven women and their babies were arrested by four officers and were taken to Mvuma Police Station where they were detained overnight on allegations of illegal settlement.
In a week’s time, twelve villagers were arrested on the same charges and they appeared before the Mvuma Resident Magistrate Constance Mtandwa.
Stalled by hunger and inhuman treatment, the villagers staged a demonstration against the Chinese miner on 14 June, 2024 .
They blocked Dinson trucks demanding an audience with the company’s management.
After the demonstration, Mvuma District Development Coordinator Jorum Chimedza together with CIO officials, Dinson Mine management, Zanu-PF members, Chief Chirumhanzu and police officers denounced the villagers for holding a demonstration.
They were labeled opposition supporters who are bend to tarnish President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda.
