SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
9 October 2009
column
Justice for Agriculture (JAG) on Friday warned that ZANU PF will stand in the way of a transparent land audit, arguing the party will go out of its way to control the process for its own benefit.
The European Commission this week said it is ready to fund an audit of the land 'reform' programme, saying an audit is a key step to resolving Zimbabwe's land issues. Head of the Commission's delegation to Zimbabwe, Xavier Marchal, said: "We are ready to assist the government to implement an inclusive, transparent, and comprehensive land audit . . . which should be aimed at resolving the land issue. This is the bigger picture, which cannot be ignored if Zimbabwe's agriculture is to become highly successful again."
But the likelihood of a transparent audit involving the government is slim, with JAG's John Worsley-Worswick explaining on Friday that an audit, independent of any political party, is the only way forward.
"ZANU PF cannot afford to have an independent audit, because they will want to camouflage and cover up their destruction of the land," Worsley-Worswick explained.
The JAG official added that a well-funded, well-resourced and independent commission is the only way the land 'reform' programme will be exposed for causing "a national disaster." Worsley-Worswick continued that an audit is not a 'massive' task, with all the real, legitimate information being closely protected by farmers' rights groups, such as the Commercial Farmers Union. But explained it is the lack of 'political will' that will stand in the way of an audit uncovering the truth.
While promising to help the government with an audit, the European Commission's Marchal also called on the coalition to take responsibility for the collapse of the sector as a result of state-sponsored land seizure. He said: "Government has to take its responsibilities. The decline in the agricultural production is indeed related to failing government polices associated to issues relating to the way the land and agrarian reform programme has been conducted. These need to be addressed by government."
The ongoing seizure of commercial land in the name of land 'reform' is among key issues that have soured relations with the European Union, who imposed targeted 'shopping' sanctions on key members of Mugabe's regime, as well as on the dictator himself. This year's renewed offensive against commercial farmers has also been a critical barrier against financial aid for the unity government, with potential donors saying the money is available as soon as critical reforms are in place.
The agreement that formed the basis for the coalition promised to undertake a comprehensive land audit that would set the stage for an orderly and equitable reform programme in the collapsed agricultural sector. But the government has refused to follow through on this particular promise, citing a lack of resources. Lands Minister Herbert Murerwa last month said the government needed US$30 million to carry out the land audit, money which the government simply does not have.
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JAG is a Rhodesian institution that has no interest in black farmers. It is a lobby for white minority Rhodesian farmers and nothing good can come out of it!
Mr Phiri, You still hold a lot of unforgiveness towards White Rhodesian Farmers, If it has escaped your attention, there are no white rhodesian farmers left. Why are you scared of a land audit? You say you are against ZanuPF but you don't want the truth to come out. If you are in the truth then why are you against it. You have said in the past you are a Christian, show to everyone that you are a true Christian, what have you to be ashamed of? Deny Me to men and My Son will deny you before Me.
He's obviously not there God. Maybe he went to a meeting of the Shoepolishers Association Dyslexic Committee (SADC).
So Phiri, do you disagree and believe the ZANU PF wont get in the way of a land audit? I'd like to hear your views
Awt, Land audit or not, all western countries have imiment domain on Land, if that is the good of a country. In the USA, a state has a right to take over land from a land owner and build a road thru that Land. Most Western countries have similar laws.
Land audits or laws should always favour the state!!! Not an individual. The ultimate judge on Land in Zimbabwe should always by the people and gov't! We have spent, a lot of time about land on this blog, but most of you forget that land reform in Zimbabwe is very similar to land laws in your own countries.
Redressing of land is on-going with the native peoples of USA and Canada. I bet you do not know that I know about American Indians land issues that are still on going! JAG and Alex Bell have their own agendas and their cause is mainly white anglo minority farmers!
Thanks for this Phiri, but you didnt really answer my question.
Do you think the Zanu PF will get in the way of a land audit to determine who owns what?
Awt, you know the answer is most likely Zanu-pf will control the audit, if it happened....However, as you also know, he who has the most to lose, has the big gun and or has support from the public most likely controls such matters affecting the state. Land is by in enlarge determined by the powerful. This is true in the UK, USA, Cananda, Russia, Japan., the colonialist etc
Land reform in Zimbabwe will never be determined by white Rhodesian farmers! Despite all the noise and money poured into this debate. The average Zimbabwean does not trust a white Rhodesian farmer...Surprisingly on LAND REFORM, people in Ziimbabwe prefer or trust Mugabe over the MDC!!!
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JAG must mobilize resources and carry out its land audit. They must stop prophesying what Zanu can and “will do”