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The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka, has announced that the Presidential Goat Scheme will resume after a full reflection on necessary improvements, learning from the previous mistakes, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-working-on-revamping-presidential-goat-scheme/">The Herald</a>.
According to Masuka, about 6,000 goats were distributed under the scheme. However, the programme came to a halt when the contracted suppliers failed to deliver the promised goats.
He said the programme was supposed to benefit 35,000 villages, including traditional chiefs, headmen, village heads and a possible 1,8 million homesteads.
Masuka made the remarks while responding to questions from Manicaland Senator, Irene Zindi (ZANU PF), who wanted to know what became of the Presidential Goat Scheme. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
When the programme was mooted, we wanted to give the goats to chiefs, headmen and village heads.
</blockquote>
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development had awarded a contract to Blackdeck Private Limited, a company owned by Moses Mpofu (49), to supply the goats under the Presidential Goat Scheme.
However, the matter has now taken a concerning turn, as Mpofu and his business partner, Mike Chimombe (43), have been arrested and charged with fraud.
The charges are related to the alleged irregular manner in which the duo secured the tender to supply the goats for the scheme.
It is alleged that the accused persons forged a ZIMRA Tax clearance certificate and an NSSA compliance certificate in the name of Blackdeck Private Limited and attached them in a bidding document which they submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development for a tender for the supply and delivery of goats for the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme.
Chimombe and Mpofu allegedly misrepresented that the company was in full compliance with ZIMRA and NSSA requirements.
However, investigations indicated that the QR code and the reference on the NSSA compliance certificate were issued to a different company.
It is further alleged that Blackdeck Private Limited was deregistered from the NSSA system in January 2016. 
The NPA said further investigations established that Blackdeck Private Limited was not issued with a ZIMRA tax clearance certificate for the year 2021 and that the QR code on the forged tax clearance certificate belonged to a different company. 
The Ministry transferred ZWL$901 294 200 and ZWL$698 705 800 on 21 April 2022 and 28 June 2022 respectively into their bank account.
The total amount was ZWL$1.6 billion and was equivalent to US$7 712 197.
Chimombe and Mpofu allegedly lied to the Ministry that they had mobilised 32 500 goats across the provinces, when in fact, they only had 3,713 goats in their holding sites.
The duo only supplied a total of 4 208 goats valued at US$331 445 and went on to convert US$7 380 751 to their personal use.
The Ministry cancelled the contract on 29 August 2022.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Presidential Goat Scheme To Resume, Says Minister Masuka

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka, has urged communal farmers to desist from selling their livestock at giveaway prices because of dwindling pastures caused by the El Nino-induced drought.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/communal-farmers-warned-against-selling-livestock-as-hunger-bites/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, Masuka was responding to questions that had been raised by legislators during the Question and Answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
He said the government was aware that farmers were “de-stocking” after the number of cattle sold in Matabeleland South from January to February 2024 has risen by 43%. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
In different places, we have observed that farmers are busy de-stocking because they are worried about the quantities of the feed that they have, for instance in Matabeleland South, the cattle that were sold from January to February… we observed that the quantities have gone up by 43%. So, the majority are selling their cattle.
As the relevant Ministry, we urge farmers to stop rushing to sell their livestock. They should only sell those old oxen and cows.
The heifers and other young cows, we should keep them in stock so that we can use artificial insemination to ensure that we have pastures for the calves so that they cannot sell their cattle.
</blockquote>
Spencer Tshuma, the Gokwe-Kabuyuni MP (ZANU PF) had also asked what the Government was doing given that most communal farmers when faced with hunger sell their livestock for survival.
Tshuma wanted to know what help they could get considering that livestock movement is banned in some areas. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
The Government has put in place, together with the Ministry headed by Minister July Moyo, a programme to ensure that all households countrywide are provided with adequate foodstuffs until next year.
We only allow the movement of livestock once the period of the ban has expired because if we allow this, we may fail to contain the disease.
</blockquote>
Reports suggest that farmers are struggling to sell their livestock. Minister Masuka said the Government is currently trying to revive a programme under which market days will be published.
The programme was formerly run by the Cold Storage Commission (CSC) but has since collapsed. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
We are in the process of trying to revive such activities so that farmers can be able to buy and sell cattle. We have allowed the Agricultural Marketing Authority to do that process.
</blockquote>
The shortage of pastures and poor crop yields due to drought are some of the factors driving communal farmers to sell their cattle, not only to avoid losses as the animals may succumb to hunger but also to raise money for food and other necessities.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Warns Communal Farmers Against Selling Livestock As Hunger Bites

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka, said that the private sector must continue to import maize for human consumption, including importing genetically modified maize but under strict supervision.
Speaking during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Masuka said the food security outlook is made of four components which are: what is in stock, what is likely to be produced in the current season, what is likely to be produced in winter and what is likely to be imported.
He said Zimbabwe allows GMOs to be imported because the country has a very strict framework. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
This is what we deliberated; we said the private sector must continue to import maize for human consumption, we said if they wish to import genetically modified maize they can do so but that must be under strict supervision.
Zimbabwe was one of the first countries in the SADC region to put in place a GMO (genetically modified organism) policy in 1998 and formed the National Biotechnology Authority, and Zimbabwe allows GMOs to be imported because we have a very strict framework. Perhaps because of the strictness, very few private companies have come on board to do some experiments on GMOs.
In the past, we have applied this model very successfully. It is genetically modified maize not GMO maize.
We said that our food security ought also to be premised on consideration of wheat as a cereal crop, either for direct consumption by people as bread or as a mealie meal or for swap arrangement.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the Government has liberalised the importation of grain at the household level with effect from July.
Duty will be waived on the importation of rice, maize, potato seed, cooking oil and genetically modified maize for stock feed, whose milling and distribution will be strictly supervised.
Cabinet also approved the removal of Value Added Tax on rice and potato seed since the two foods are now considered staples.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Agriculture Minister Speaks On Genetically Modified Maize Imports

38 000 metric tonnes of grain imports are stuck at the Beitbridge border post because of issues with the VAT requirements, which kicked off this week, reported <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/grain-stuck-at-beitbridge-border-post/">Business Times</a>.
Speaking during a tour of the Dendairy dairy farm in Kwekwe this week, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Anxious Masuka, said the nation should prepare for shortages of mealie meal because of the new fiscal policies. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
You should be prepared for grain shortages because grain millers are having problems importing grain due to the tax and other new requirements that have come into effect.
Right now, we have 38 000 metric tonnes (of grain) that are stuck at the Beitbridge border because of new VAT requirements and ITF263 issues.
</blockquote>
The new fiscal measures that came into effect with the 2024 national budget include tighter tax clearance certificate (ITF263) and Value Added Tax (VAT) requirements for businesses.
On Tuesday, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) president Tafadzwa Musarara told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/business/article/200021866/weve-enough-stocks-to-meet-demand-millers">NewsDay</a> that they have imported more than 200 000 metric tonnes of maize since October 20023 and can supply enough maize meal to consumers.
Speaking during a tour of the National Foods Holdings Limited facilities in Harare also on Tuesday this week, Lands and Agriculture Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said the country has adequate grain in stock. 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

38 000 Tonnes Of Grain Stuck At Beitbridge Border Post

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Anxious Masuka said that the Government does not set prices of cotton between growers and contractors.
Masuka said that as for pricing and payment of farmers whose inputs are funded by the Government, a system has been put in place to ensure that both parties benefit.
He was responding to concerns raised by MPs during a Question and Answer session in the National Assembly. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
The Government does not set prices or conditions fon how to pay. As a Government, we receive from the contractors, the cost of growing cotton in a specific area, like a Pfumvudza plot.
As for the farmers we give inputs to, that is when we state the price that we expect to buy, but the other private contractors agree on the prices they are going to pay.
Government does not go into contracts with farmers. Farmers get into contracts with the private players.
</blockquote>
Masuka said that this year, eight contractors have engaged and entered into agreements with cotton farmers across the country. He said:
<blockquote>
I said we had a meeting with eight contractors or companies that go out there in the rural areas.
Those eight companies will be interacting with the farmers out there in the rural areas that we represent. So, we expect the country to grow a lot of cotton.
</blockquote>
He said that cotton farmers whose inputs are funded by the Government will get a fair return on their hard work. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
Government is interested in the pricing of cotton so that there is a fair return for the farmers’ efforts.
Last year we introduced a grid-differentiated pricing system that is sensitive to the hard work that farmers had put in and we started at 40c a kilogramme which is comparable to other jurisdictions in the region.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the Government recently summoned the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) officials to explain why the company is delaying paying the US$6.8 million the company owes cotton farmers.
Last month, COTTCO chief executive officer, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/10/21/cottco-owes-cotton-farmers-millions-of-us-dollars/">Priscilla Mutembwa said that efforts were underway to pay all farmers’ outstanding payments</a> before the onset of the 2022/23 summer cropping season.
Mutembwa COTTCO had paid $16.7 million to farmers, out of $23 million owed, adding that the company was working hard to ensure that arrears to its workers were also cleared.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Expects Cotton Output To Increase - Minister Masuka

Seed houses and fertiliser companies have started the delivery of Presidential inputs to Grain Marketing Board depots and shops across the country, for onward distribution to farmers ahead of the 2023/24 summer cropping season, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/pfumvudza-inputs-distribution-in-full-swing/">The Herald</a>.
The Government is reportedly targetting 3.5 million households to benefit from the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme this upcoming season.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said the early distribution of inputs will boost productivity given that normal to below normal rainfall is expected. He said:
<blockquote>
We are happy to announce that fertiliser, seed maize and other inputs are now in place.
In the face of the anticipated El Nino (phenomenon) we want farmers to use every drop (of rain), so the early disbursement of inputs will go a long way towards boosting productivity.
Apart from the usual Government inputs programme, we are happy to announce that we have NMB Bank coming on board to support 10 000 hectares of crops this summer.
</blockquote>
Masuka said 35 000 tonnes of fertiliser has already been distributed.
Under Pfumvudza, the Government is targeting 250 000ha of sorghum, 126 577ha of maize, 100 000ha of sunflower, 6 230ha of soya beans, 260 000ha of cotton, 7 8120 ha of sugar beans, and 62 500ha of African peas and groundnuts.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Farming Inputs For 2023/24 Summer Season Now In Place - Minister Masuka

President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed six non-constituency Ministers into his Cabinet, out of a possible seven from outside parliament. Some of the Ministers had lost their seats prior to the election.
In 2018, the non-constituency Ministers included individuals like Professor Mthuli Ncube (Finance), Professor Amon Murwira (Higher Education), <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kirsty_Coventry/">Kirsty Coventry</a> (Sports), Dr. <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obadiah_Moyo/">Obadiah Moyo</a> (Health), and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/July_Moyo/">July Moyo</a> (Local Government).
The non-constituency Ministers for the period of 2023-2028 are Kirsty Coventry, Mangaliso Ndlovu, Mthuli Ncube, Ziyambi Ziyambi, Amon Murwira, and Anxious Masuka.

<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/09/12/president-mnangagwa-has-defended-the-reappointment-of-minister-kirsty-coventry/">President Mnangagwa Has Defended The Reappointment Of Minister Kirsty Coventry</a></li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mangaliso_Ndlovu/">Mangaliso Ndlovu:</a></h3>
Mangaliso Ndlovu, former Tourism Minister, lost his seat as his previous constituency, Bulilima East, merged into a new constituency called Bulilima. The seat was won by Dingumuzi Phuti, who was the Member of Parliament for Bulilima West. However, Ndlovu has been given a new role. To accommodate him, President Mnangagwa split the old Ministry, appointing Barbara Rwodzi as the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, while retaining Ndlovu as the Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife. Tongai Mnangagwa, the President’s nephew and MP for Harare South, was named as Ndlovu’s deputy.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Anxious_Masuka/">Dr Anxious Masuka:</a></h3>
President Mnangagwa exempted Minister Anxious Masuka from constituency politics to focus on reviving the agriculture sector. Masuka and John Basera were recognised as top performers in the 2022 evaluation. Masuka will serve as a non-constituency legislator, according to Mnangagwa’s column in The Sunday Mail and Sunday News. He wrote:
<blockquote>
I have released Minister Anxious Masuka from the distractions of constituency politics so his sole focus and sole politics relate to this one goal of transforming our agriculture for a food-secure Nation for all times.
He will be a non-constituency Member of Parliament, so he has enough time to live, think and dream of agriculture only. 
In 2022, Zimbabwe achieved a record wheat harvest as farmers delivered over 375 000 tonnes to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
Before last year’s output, the highest-ever wheat output since commercial production began in the 1960s was 325 000 tonnes realised in 1990.
</blockquote>
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ziyambi_Ziyambi/">Ziyambi Ziyambi</a></h3>
Ziyambi Ziyambi was reappointed as the non-constituency Minister of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs. Despite losing in the ZANU PF primary elections, attempts to save him through a rerun indicated his continued favour. Ziyambi’s history of pushing legislation to strengthen President Mnangagwa’s power is not surprising. He demonstrated his loyalty by criticizing observer reports. His deputy is lawyer Norbert Mazungunye, who won against <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Fortune_Chasi/">Fortune Chasi</a> in the ZANU PF primaries.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube/">Mthuli Ncube</a></h3>
Ncube retains the Ministry of Finance, now called Finance and Investment Promotion. He lost his constituency seat but was reappointed as a non-constituency Minister. Despite development initiatives, criticism remains for austerity measures, currency issues, and economic instability. Public scepticism lingers regarding his ability to address these concerns. Ncube’s experience and qualifications:
– Chief Economist and Vice President of the African Development Bank. 
– Expertise in finance, economics, investment, and public policy. 
– Entrepreneur and academic. 
– Professor at the University of Oxford, teaching economic development, public policy, and business in Africa. 
– HSBC Distinguished Professor of Banking and Financial Markets at the University of the Witwatersrand. 
– Founder and former CEO of Barbican Bank. 
– Lecturer in Finance at the London School of Economics. 
– Dean and Professor of Finance at Wits Business School. 
– Board member of the South African Financial Services Board. 
– Chairman of the National Small Business Advisory Council. 
– Chairman of the Board of the African Economic Research Consortium. 
– Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion in Zimbabwe since 2023.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amon_Murwira/">Amon Murwira</a></h3>
Amon Murwira is another non-constituency Minister who was appointed by President Mnangagwa. He is an academic and was retained as Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Development. He holds a PhD in Geo-Information Science and has expertise in GIS and Remote Sensing. Murwira worked as an ecologist in Zimbabwe’s Department of Natural Resources and is a Fellow of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

New Cabinet: President Mnangagwa's Non-Constituency Ministers

Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, has said drilling a borehole requires a permit from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). His statement comes after some residents in Bulawayo were protesting against the Upper Gwayi Sub Catchment for enforcing the payment of levies for the use of underground water.
Dr Masuka emphasised that groundwater use is governed by the Water Act and that the Sub-Catchment Council is responsible for accessing and allocating water efficiently. He urged individuals to obtain drilling permits and ensure compliance with the law. In a statement seen by Pindula News, Masuka said:
<blockquote>
<h3>STATEMENT ON BOREHOLE DRILLING AND GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTIONS</h3>
The Ministry has noted the recent increase in the number of individuals and organisations drilling boreholes without the relevant permits in the country; with some of these boreholes being drilled within metres of one another.
The Ministry wishes to remind borehole owners, drillers and prospective borehole owners that groundwater use, just like surface water use, is governed by the Water Act (Chapter 20 24) Section 3 of the Water Act vests all water in the President while Section 4 of the same Act prohibits private ownership of water. With water being a finite resource, its development and use should be managed in a sustainable manner. Government, through ZINWA and Sub-Catchment Councils, is responsible for assessing and allocating water efficiently, sustainably and equitably, in view of competing water needs by multiple users.
In this regard, any individual or organisation intending to drill a borehole should apply for and obtain a drilling permit from their respective Catchment Council This allows Government to know the number and location of the boreholes, so as to avoid over abstraction of the groundwater resource The driller is required, by law, to provide the technical details on the drilling of such a borehole (i.e. the construction, the pumping tests and water yield and any other parameters). It is also a legal requirement that a holder of a groundwater permit keeps records of the water abstracted in terms of the permit and have such water analysed for physical, chemical and biological and other bacteriological constituents and to ensure that the water is safe and clean for human consumption.
All individuals, institutions and organisations who may have drilled boreholes without the requisite documentation are, therefore, advised to approach ZINWA or their respective Catchment Councils to regularise their water use. The Ministry advises all water users to always ensure that their water use is in compliance with the law.
</blockquote>
Some government critics are sceptical that the requirement for drilling permits is intended to prevent the opposition from gaining support through the drilling of boreholes. Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent critic, believes that the regime will attempt to block these efforts, but the opposition can use these denials to expose the government’s disregard for the people’s needs. He urges the opposition to demonstrate their ability to lead and provide solutions, and to use the government’s obstruction as campaign material.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Government: Drilling A Borehole Requires A Permit From ZINWA

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka has called for stiffer penalties for individuals or companies engaged in the side marketing of cotton.
Speaking during the launch of the 2023 cotton marketing season in Mahuwe on Monday, Masuka said side marketing of cotton should be made a criminal offence so that those found guilty do not escape with a fine but are jailed.
Masuka said jailing side marketers will protect one of the country’s foreign currency earners and source of livelihood for many Zimbabweans. He said:
<blockquote>
Last year, seven side marketing breaches were recorded with the culprits being fined over US$10 000.
In terms of deterrent measures, we must go beyond this and make side marketing a criminal offense.
Jail is the only effective way to curb this practice.
My ministry, through the Agricultural Marketing Authority, continues to implement measures to curb side marketing.
These include the Memorandum of Agreement by all contractors for the establishment of cotton buying points, maintenance of good business practices and registers of each contractor at each buying point.
</blockquote>
Side-marketing is when a contracted cotton grower sells his or her crop to a third party in breach of a legally binding contractual agreement that states that contracted cotton shall only be sold to or bought by the licensed contractor who provided inputs to such a grower.
In 2013, side marketing almost collapsed the cotton industry after private merchants stopped financing farmers due to poor debt recovery.
The following year (2014), output plunged to 28 000 tonnes, the lowest in nearly two decades.
The Government intervened by providing farmers with free inputs under the Presidential Free Inputs programme.
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/jail-terms-proposed-to-end-cotton-side-marketing/">The Herald</a> reported that almost 350 000 farmers were contracted to grow cotton under the Presidential Inputs Scheme last year.
250 000 hectares were put under cotton and 152 000 tonnes are expected this season.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Side Marketing Of Cotton Should Attract Jail Terms - Minister Masuka

President Emmerson Mnangagwa says he has exempted Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister, Anxious Masuka from constituency politics so that he solely focuses on reviving the country’s agriculture sector.
In March, Masuka, and Permanent Secretary in the Lands Ministry John Basera came out as the biggest winners in the 2022 performance evaluation results for Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials.
The two were named best performers in their respective designations.
Writing in his weekly column for The Sunday Mail and Sunday News, Mnangagwa said Masuka will be a non-constituency legislator. He wrote:
<blockquote>
I have released Minister Anxious Masuka from the distractions of constituency politics so his sole focus and sole politics relate to this one goal of transforming our agriculture for a food-secure Nation for all times.
He will be a non-constituency Member of Parliament, so he has enough time to live, think and dream of agriculture only.
</blockquote>
In 2022, Zimbabwe achieved a record wheat harvest as farmers delivered over 375 000 tonnes to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
Before last year’s output, the highest-ever wheat output since commercial production began in the 1960s was 325 000 tonnes realised in 1990.
Meanwhile, several Cabinet ministers and deputies, among them Sekai Nzenza and Ziyambi Ziyambi, were defeated in ZANU PF primary elections that were held on 25 March 2023.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mnangagwa Exempts Anxious Masuka From Constituency Politics

Resettled farmers have defied a directive to submit annual production returns, reported <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/farmers-defy-govt/">Business Times</a>.
The government plans to use the annual production returns as a basis to issue A1 permits and 99-year leases for A2.
Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka recommended that a Statutory Instrument (SI) should be gazetted to enforce the directive. He said:
<blockquote>
We recommend that the annual production and productivity returns should be (done) to guide production and investment. An SI should be issued to make it mandatory for A1 and A2 farmers to submit these annual returns.
This (submission of returns) is an audit on how the farmers are utilising their land, which will decide whether they deserve to have the entire farms to themselves or should share with others or even be moved to smaller land portions that they can fully utilise.
</blockquote>
In 2021, the government threatened to remove all the farmers who fail to submit the returns forms but farmers have not complied with the directive.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Shadreck Makombe called on farmers to submit the returns forms as required. He said:
<blockquote>
We urge all farmers, be it A1 or A2, to submit the annual production and productivity return forms on time to fast-track the issuance of securitised documents.
All farmers should submit and you never know the day when others will get the securitised documents.
</blockquote>
In March 2022, Masuka said the returns will be used to assess if they qualify to be issued with a 99-year lease.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200009522/ed-demands-re-run-in-violence-hotspots">Pindula News</a>

Farmers Defy Govt Directive To Submit Annual Production Returns

The government has no plans to compensate white former farmers with arable land for the improvements they did on their farms before they were compulsorily acquired by the State around the year 2000, a cabinet minister has said.
In 2020, the government signed a US$3.5 billion land compensation deal with white former farmers.
Since the signing of the deal, the government has repeatedly missed repayment deadlines.
The government is looking at long-term bonds and donor assistance to raise the money for the compensation.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Anxious_Masuka">Anxious Masuka</a> told <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zim-says-no-to-compensating-ex-white-farmers-with-land/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> on Thursday that the government is not considering using idle land to compensate the former farmers. He said:
<blockquote>
We do not want to revisit the history of land in Zimbabwe. The emotions, the bloodshed and all. The fact that we went to war to take this land back.
The long and short of it is that there is no plan to use the same land for compensation of white farmers.
There is no discussion or reasoning along those lines in government. We are instead looking at alternative ways to mobilise resources and we are making so much progress in that direction.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">More: Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Has No Plans To Compensate White Former Farmers With Land - Minister

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) owes farmers US$27 million for grain deliveries and has so far paid all farmers the Zimbabwe dollar component of the payments.
This was said by Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka after a tour of the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme in Matabeleland North Province last week.
Masuka assured farmers that the government will soon release the foreign currency so that they get their money. He said:
<blockquote>
The GMB owes farmers US$27 million. But they have paid all the Zimbabwe dollars.
So, if you have received the Zimbabwe dollars that’s fine. We will be paying the US dollars soon.
</blockquote>
The chairperson of the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme Douglas Khumalo said each farmer at the irrigation scheme is supposed to receive US$370 adding to the $500 000 that has been paid. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/gmb-to-start-paying-farmers-for-grain-deliveries/">Chronicle</a>

Grain Farmers Owed US$27 Million By GMB

The government has urged farmers in drier regions of the country to grow small grains that are more drought-tolerant instead of maize.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka, said farmers in regions 4 and 5 should not grow maize unless they are doing it under irrigation.
Masuka assured farmers that they will be allowed to exchange their small grains for maize at their nearest Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot.
He was speaking at the handover of plots to farmers who were displaced when Greenfuel took over the ARDA estate in Chisumbanje, on the back of a joint venture agreement around 2009. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
We know people like maize sadza. When we say farmers should not grow it unless their conditions permit, we are not saying they should forgo eating maize.
We have come up with a plan, in which farmers will take their sorghum to their nearest GMB (Grain Marketing Board) and for every bucket of sorghum, millet, or rapoko, they will get one bucket and a gallon of maize.
</blockquote>
He added that the government has put in place a system to ensure that the grain swaps are done at every GMB depot in the country. | <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-govt-introduces-grain-swap-facility-as-efforts-to-push-up-small-grains-adoption-intensity">The Sunday Mail</a>

Govt Introduces Grain Swap Facility To Encourage Production Of Small Grains

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka, said villagers who benefit from government programmes should vote for President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2023 general elections. 
Masuka said this while addressing villagers in the Chinyamukwakwa area of Chisumbanje, Chipinge, over the weekend while handing over 250 plots from ethanol producer, Green Fuel to the villagers.
He told the villagers that when they vote in 2023, they “must return the favour” to President Mnangagwa because he was the one who gave them free farming inputs. He said:
<blockquote>
Right now we see the rains are coming and we are busy ensuring that we organise and provide all inputs for you on time.
That is what we call Rural Development 8.0 so that you will be able to get the inputs on time.
The electoral campaign period is still way ahead. I am not a campaign manager, but let me try it here.
When you are given these agricultural inputs, you must think of one person in your mind — and that is the person who has given you the inputs — President [Emmerson Mnangagwa].
When you are given goats, think deeply of the person who has remembered you — you must return the favour and remember him too in 2023.
</blockquote>
Masuka also told the villagers that farming inputs come from ZANU PF, even though they were bought using taxpayers’ money. He said:
<blockquote>
I now want to speak on the issue of Members of Parliament (MPs). We had a situation whereby the inputs disappeared before they got to the beneficiaries. So the MPs should be witnesses during distribution to oversee it.
This is because these inputs come from ZANU PF, which is the ruling party that forms the government, and government acts on what ZANU PF says. So, the party must not be excluded.
</blockquote>
Masuka said traditional leaders will be given more fertiliser than ordinary villagers because, in the past, they would assist those who were starving. He said:
<blockquote>
You will be given enough fertilisers and other inputs for three plots. Village heads are in the distribution committees because they will know all of you.
We will give village heads more than everyone else — for seven plots, because long back when there was drought, the village heads would assist those who would be starving.
The headmen will also be given inputs for nine plots while the chief will get inputs for eleven plots.
Don’t think that these have been favoured, we have all been given by President ED.
</blockquote>
Opposition political parties and Civil Society Organisations have in the past accused ZANU PF of politicising agricultural inputs and food aid, especially towards general elections. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200003219/minister-exposes-vote-buying-plot">NewsDay</a>

Minister Tells Villagers Who Receive Free Farming Inputs To Vote For ED

The government has urged resettled farmers under-utilising land to consider joint ventures with investors or risk revocation of offer letters.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka, said his ministry has already developed a template for the joint venture agreement. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
The ministry is encouraging joint ventures, so if you think you do not have the capacity to farm, Zimbabwe wants production on your farm, so find someone who is able to assist you to farm.
The ministry has established a Joint Venture Unit and we have developed a template for an agreement between a farmer and someone who has the capacity to farm.
We are also creating a database of farmers who have offer letters, but who are not fully utilising their land and creating another database of those people who do not have land but have the capacity to farm.
So that we can do the matching of the farmer who has the land but not sufficiently utilising it and the investor who has the investment and finance, but has no land so that this government does not resort to saying each time we come to your farm, you are not productive, we withdraw your offer letter and give it to someone.
</blockquote>
He said the template of the joint venture agreement was available on the ministry’s website.
Masuka urged farmers to take advantage of initiatives provided by the recently reestablished Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC). He said:
<blockquote>
The Agricultural Finance Corporation has been reestablished to provide financing through the land and development bank.
But also because we realised that one of the issues is capacity at a farm level, you might not have the capacity to purchase a tractor at the farm level and we have given AFC initially 210 tractors.
Three weeks ago, we gave them an additional 400 tractors so that they can assist farmers with tillage operations this season.
We will add more, we think if AFC is leasing 1 500 tractors at any given time it means no farmer can fail to plant on time saying they have failed to receive adequate tillage.
</blockquote>
|<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/utilise-land-or-risk-losing-farm-offer-letters-agric-minister-warns-lazy-farmers/"> NewZimbabwe.com</a>

"Use It Or Lose It," Agriculture Minister Urges Farmers To Consider Joint Ventures

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Masuka said people who want to venture into farming but do not have land should opt for joint ventures as there is no land to give everyone.
Speaking to Business Times in a recent interview, Masuka said one does not need to have a piece of land to be a farmer. He said:
<blockquote>
There are more than 250 000 applicants on the land waiting list and not everyone can get land there.
I have often said, you do not have to own land in order to do business on it, just like you do not have to own a house in order to live in it.
</blockquote>
The Government says 360 000 A1 and 21 000 A2 farmers benefitted from the land reform programme.
Last year, Masuka told the Parliament that all land put aside for resettlement had been exhausted. He said then:
<blockquote>
As of now, most of the land has been distributed. If you go around, you will not find a place that is vacant.
Even where there is no farming, in the registry, these farms will have owners.
All the farms that are available have been given. One may move around and see an unsettled farm but invariably on our records, that farm would have been offered to someone.
So on our database, it will appear as if it is occupied to an extent, because there is no additional land that is available to give to people.
We now have gone back to look at redistributing that which we have given to others already.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/not-everyone-should-own-land-masuka/">Business Times</a></h4>

Not Everyone Can Own Land - Masuka

The Government has engaged tobacco farmers to take up winter wheat farming in a move aimed at increasing wheat production and ensuring adequate wheat stocks in the country.
Cabinet on Tuesday approved the move following a presentation on the matter by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka. Part of the post-Cabinet media briefing reads:
<blockquote>
Pertaining to wheat, Cabinet reports that in order to increase the hectarage under wheat as well as increase the output, tobacco farmers will be roped in to grow the crop.
The transition to winter wheat by tobacco farmers is a welcome move and will go a long way in boosting the supply of the cereal so that we have sufficient domestic stocks.
Cabinet is pleased to report that the country has sufficient fertilizers for winter-wheat farming.
Efforts are also being made to guarantee fertiliser supplies for the summer season.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/tobacco-farmers-roped-into-wheat-production/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Tobacco Farmers To Venture Into Winter Wheat Production

The Government has started redistributing unused land that was given to black farmers during the land reform programme at the turn of the Millenium.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka, on Wednesday, said multiple farm owners will be left with one farm and the rest will be expropriated and redistributed. He said:
<blockquote>
Those who own more than one farm, or whose farms are abandoned, will face expropriation.
The lands will be redistributed to aspiring farmers, who are on a waiting list established since the last reforms.
</blockquote>
Masuka said 99% of the land has already been allocated and the land distributed to farmers on the waiting list is being taken from blacks and will be allocated to black farmers.
Deputy Lands Minister Vangelis Haritatos said some white farmers have already been allowed to reclaim land through local partnerships.
According to Haritatos, there were no specific criteria for the exercise but he said “what we want is a system that is fair to the greatest number of people.”
In the early 2000s, the then President, Robert Mugabe, forcibly expropriated land from commercial white farmers in order to reallocate it to black farmers.
While the Zimbabwean Government said land reform was intended to correct inequalities resulting from British colonisation, those close to the Government and the ruling ZANU PF party greatly from the redistribution.
The new farmers were poorly trained and ill-equipped, and this resulted in food shortages, forcing Zimbabwe to spend millions of dollars importing grain to feed its population.
Mugabe’s successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has attempted to compensate the white former farmers for the developments they carried out on the farms.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.africanews.com/2022/03/30/zimbabwe-to-repossess-unused-land-from-black-farmers/">africanews</a></h4>

Govt To Repossess Unused Land From Indigenous Farmers

The Government will soon make it mandatory for communal farmers to grow sunflower as it seeks to substitute US$200 million worth of crude sunflower oil imports.
Zimbabwe is losing scarce foreign currency through the importation of between 60 000 and 65 000 metric tonnes of crude sunflower oil from South Africa annually.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said:
<blockquote>
Cotton and sunflower must be the principal cash crops for communal areas and old resettlement areas, which is why we are putting quite a lot of sunflower seeds.
We have received 417 metric tonnes and I’m expecting another 150 to 200 metric tonnes altogether to add to the 120 hectares of sunflower if every household takes their pack.
That must be distributed as expeditiously as humanly possible so that each household does sunflower.
In the Pfumvudza/Intwasa pack, sunflower is a mandatory crop for everyone because we cannot continue to import cooking oil for use in homes. 
</blockquote>
He said instead of spending US$200 million on crude sunflower oil imports, the money should be paid to local farmers. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
All oils that we use in the homes are largely imported from South Africa. So, we spend US$200 million paying for the imports and in a way indirectly supporting South African farmers to be able to produce more in order to export to Zimbabwe.
We have said starting this year, we need to build import substitutions and be able to pay the equivalent of US$200 million to our own farmers.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/sunflower-farming-to-become-mandatory/">The Herald</a></h4>

Govt To Make Sunflower Farming Mandatory

The Presidential Rural Development Scheme will generate employment for 840 000 people in the rural areas, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka has said.
The programme was launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week on Wednesday at Sekusile-Makorokoro Nutrition Garden in Jinjika Village, Mangwe District, Matabeleland South.
The scheme seeks to transform horticulture through increased access to potable drinking water to 10 million people living in rural areas.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Presidential Rural Development Scheme, Masuka said:
<blockquote>
When the project is in full swing 700 000 villagers will be employed daily throughout the country in addition to the 140 000 youths who will be employed directly. There will be many services associated with this programme.
This is an exciting phase in the transformation of our country and the rural economy as we create source businesses.
We are also going to employ 35 000 youths to manage the schemes under this programme in the next two years as we roll out this programme.
</blockquote>
Under the Presidential Rural Development Scheme, each of the country’s 25 000 villages in communal areas and 9 000 villages in resettlement areas will get a borehole among other things. Added Masuka:
<blockquote>
Each village will have a village borehole with safe drinking water which will also become an economic enabler to enable the village to engage in meaningful horticulture.
We are currently focusing on communal areas for now so that no one and no place is left behind.
</blockquote>
Masuka also said the Presidential Rural Development Scheme will create agro-based rural industries. He said:
<blockquote>
It will also create ward-based agro-businesses and school-based agricultural entrepreneurship. We are also saying rural agricultural development will lead to rural industrialisation, which will spur rural development.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/rural-scheme-to-create-840-000-jobs-minister/">The Herald</a></h4>

Presidential Rural Development Scheme To Create 840 000 Jobs - Minister Masuka

The Government is engaging seed and fertiliser producers to boost local production and ensure that input prices are affordable to all farmers.
This was said by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Anxious_Masuka">Anxious Masuka</a> in response to farmers’ concerns over the recent price increases, especially for maize seed and fertiliser.
Farmers attending the recent 81st Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) congress in Gweru last Friday expressed worry that producer prices were no longer viable as a result of increases in inputs prices.
Responding to the president of young farmers within ZFU, Prosper Chikwara, who had asked what the Government was doing to cushion farmers from the rising prices of inputs, Masuka said:
<blockquote>
We were actually discussing this matter with President Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga that inputs have gone up.
Last year, for example, a 10kg bag of maize seed was going for $6 000, but it has now gone up to $17 000.
So, the seed [price] has gone up and at the moment we want to appeal to seed producers not to increase seed prices.
To bring stability to the agriculture sector, we want to localise the production of fertiliser so that in the next three years we don’t hear of importation of fertiliser or ingredients used in the production of the product.
We are in discussion with some of the seed companies so that they produce more and flood the market. So, we are looking at stabilising the products by making them locally.
</blockquote>
Masuka said the Government’s grand plan was to ensure that within the next three years, the country has a vibrant fertiliser and seed production base to reduce imports.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-intervenes-to-curb-agric-inputs-price-hikes/">The Herald</a></h4>

Govt Pleads With Seed And Fertiliser Producers To Keep Prices Low

The Government has withdrawn offer letters from two farmers in Manicaland Province who were not utilising the land.
The two farmers were granted land totalling 600 hectares under the Land Reform Programme.
In a notice on Monday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said the farms were being withdrawn as one of the owners was not utilising the land, while the other farm had not been taken up. He said:
<blockquote>
Notice is hereby given to the land beneficiary that the acquiring authority intends to withdraw his offer letter for not taking up his plot in contravention of the terms and conditions of their offer letters.
The beneficiary should respond to the notice within 14 working days of this publication.
</blockquote>
The respondents were identified as van Rensburg of Cavala Farm in Makoni, and one E Matibiri of Brondesbury Farm in Nyanga.
Cavala Farm was abandoned while Brondesbury had not been taken up.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/gvt-repossesses-idle-farms/">The Herald</a></h4>

Government Takes Back Idle Farms

Lands Minister, Anxious Masuka has admitted there is rampant corruption among ministry officials, who parcel out farms after receiving bribes.
He said the lands department had become a haven of corruption where criminal cartels of officers, demanded bribes for land allocations.
Masuka was addressing senior lands officers in Gweru at a meeting on land distribution and management.
Over 250 000 people are on the waiting list for land. 
Masuka told the land officers: 
<blockquote>
The Lands department now has a bad reputation. The department has degenerated into a haven of corruption activities as officers demand kickbacks in land allocations and that is very bad. We need to clean that image now by doing the right things in a professional manner.
There are land officers whose offices are entered only by those with something in their pockets. Something for something and nothing for nothing, and that is corruption in land allocation. Corruption, corrupt activities must stop henceforth.
As a civil servant, I think you should strive to leave a lasting legacy in the area of operation. Now we have land officers who set targets, for example, to have two Mercedes Benz vehicles in two years from corruption, which is wrong.
</blockquote>
He added Zimbabweans based in the Diaspora, who want to invest in land back home, were the main targets of the cartels.
Masuka said he was receiving phone calls from land seekers, who reveal to him their schedule number, which should be confidential details only known by land officers.
Masuka said land was an economic enabler that must be allocated to deserving people for the agriculture sector to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy. 
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/rampant-corruption-endemic-among-lands-officers-minister/">NewZimbabwe</a>

Lands Minister Bemoans Rampant Corruption Among Ministry Officials

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Anxious Masuka has been fingered in a land scam after it emerged that he recently signed a land offer letter for Bornface Naison, a fugitive from the law who fled to South Africa 14 years ago.
Naison was arraigned before the courts in 2007 on allegations of stealing TelOne copper cables, a crime that attracts a 10-year jail term.
He was released on bail and immediately skipped the country and has never been in Zimbabwe since then.
Nhaka Yavatema, a co-operative of disabled people, has since approached the courts over the issue of the offer letter granted to Naison as it holds title to the same piece of land.
The case was heard at Chiredzi Magistrates Court in May where it emerged that despite being a suspect in a serious case and running away from the law, Naison was actually offered what is supposed to be free land by the State.
The 99-year lease signed by Masuka on 11 December 2020 is for 60 hectares at Sub Division 27 of the Hippo Valley North dry land.
Naison and a Chiredzi lawyer Dyson Chirima had filed papers in court to evict Nhaka Yavatema Co-operative members who are using the same land that the two were offered.
Naison is being represented in court by his wife Lorhinda Ingwani whom he gave the power of attorney.
Nhaka Yavatema produced a letter in court which shows that the co-operative was given the same land by Chiredzi Town Council.
The letter was signed by Edson Nyadenga, the council’s Environmental Health Officer.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has been investigating a number of cases where senior Government officials including politicians were fingered in illegal land sales.
The Government officials are accused of selling State land on a massive scale.
<h4>More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/shock-as-minister-offers-land-to-14-year-fugitive-from-the-law/">The Mirror</a></h4>

Minister Offers Land To 14-year-fugitive From The Law

People who have submitted applications for land to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement should be prepared to wait for up to 10 years or more before they are allocated farms.
This was said by Lands Minister Anxious Masuka during a question and answer session in Parliament while responding to questions from MDC Alliance legislators.
The opposition legislators had vented their frustration on what they felt was a slow pace at which land applications were being handled.
Masuka stated that the bulk of the land had been taken up and there were no more unoccupied farms.
He said the Government was coming up with another strategy to open a window allowing those interested in land to be allocated. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
There is no guarantee that if someone applies for land today, two months down the line or after 10 years, he will get it.
We have 2 500 applications who want land for the 99 per cent given to people. There is no additional land.
</blockquote>
Masuka said the government was now looking for derelict, abandoned land or underutilised or multiple farmers from which to procure land for those who have applied for it.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/police-nab-suspects-in-marange-girls-death/">The Herald</a></h4>

Land Applicants May Wait For 10 Years To Be Allocated Farms

Opposition Members of Parliament have threatened to take Government to court for failure to provide them with residential stands.
Southerton MP Peter Moyo (MDC-T) accused Lands ministry officials in most districts of acting like ZANU PF activists and making it difficult for the opposition members to benefit from the land reform programme.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Moyo accused the land officers of politicising land allocation. He said:
<blockquote>The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement should take proactive action pertaining to the land redistribution.
We do not want a situation whereby we have the mentality of the G40 scenario where opposition members were denied land in their motherland.
I am saying, we have applied for land in different districts as the opposition and they have not responded to our applications.
…lands officers must be professionals. Those people are party activists, they are denying us. Why is the land being politicised?</blockquote>
This is despite the refusal by MDC members to participate in the land redistribution programme at the turn of the century.
Responding to Moyo, Lands minister Anxious Masuka said there was no policy that discriminated along political party lines. He said:
<blockquote>Certainly, there are issues of clarification that are required. The application form, in our view, is fairly straightforward and does not request one to indicate their political affiliation.</blockquote>
Norton MP Temba Mliswa (Independent) threatened to sue the government for failure to meet its side of the bargain in the allocation of residential stands to MPs as per contractual agreement. Said Mliswa:
<blockquote>You must respect contracts in this country as a government. It cannot be a government that does not respect contracts. It is a contractual obligation that must be met by the State.
So, within seven days, speak to the (Local Government and Public Works) minister (July Moyo) and say that I am sending you to court and I cannot be expelled from any party by the way.
This does not put you in good light with the public when you cannot honour Honourable MPs.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/05/mps-demand-stands-farms/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Opposition MPs Demand Stands, Farms

MDC Alliance MPs backing MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora on Thursday took to task Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka on why the government’s land distribution exercise remained partisan.
The MPs queried why the government was distributing land only to Zanu PF members leaving out the opposition MDC.
Masuka was grilled by the MPs when he was appearing before parliament’s portfolio on agriculture.
He was giving oral evidence on the government’s strategy to improve farming activities in the country.
MDC-T (Proportional Representative) MP Joyce Makonya questioned the minister why the 99-year farm leases were being handled by the government.
She also asked Masuka to clarify reports some resettled farmers were being removed from their land to pave way for evicted white farmers.
MPs from the MDC-T, however, interjected her shouting; “Yes! We also want those farms.”
Gokwe Nembudziya MP, Justice Mayor Wadyajena (Zanu PF) urged Minister Masuka to give the MDC MPs farms. He said:
<blockquote>Minister, the burning issue here is that MDC’s land policy in the past was that no one member should accept a farm from the government. Now you see what I am saying is that they also want farms.
Give them farms when they come to your offices and treat them as citizens. Do not look at politics. They are citizens of Zimbabwe and want to engage in farming as well.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/give-us-farms-mdc-mwonzora-mp-pleads-with-minister/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

MDC Mwonzora MPs Demand Farms From Govt

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Dr Anxious Masuka has said the government is creating opportunities for graduates but it would be to them to utilise or ignore those opportunities.
He made the remarks in response to a solo protest by an unemployed agriculture graduate Dickson Kubvakacha the founder and chairperson of the Coalition of Agricultural Graduates of Zimbabwe (COAGZ).
A picture of Kubvakacha selling sweets on a crowded dusty street in Mbare went viral on social media platforms prompting Masuka to comment dismissing the demonstration as a disappointing attention-seeking gesture. He said:
<blockquote>I want to think that this is a joke and that the comrade in question (Kubvakacha) will immediately remove his social media page.
Last year, I personally addressed COAGZ and Kubvakacha was present where I outlined the procedure for one to apply for land.
The minister said the government provides graduates with opportunities to be taken up by those willing to do so.
I also highlighted numerous opportunities that any agricultural graduate has in the agricultural space.
It cannot, then, be the Zimbabwean government’s responsibility to spoon-feed the individual.
We create opportunities, and it is up to the individual to take advantage of those opportunities or not.
This is extremely disappointing, to say the least.</blockquote>
This comes as thousands of graduates which local universities churn out every year are unemployed at the work of company closures and absence of support or capital to start own income-generating initiatives.
The government has often urged graduates to be innovative adding that not every graduate will have to be employed.
Scores of graduates are unemployed while some are underemployed (the International Labor Organisation says everyone employed to do what he/she is overqualified to do in underemployed) or are in the informal sector trying everything to bring food to the table.
The Zimbabwean economy has been on the downward trend for over to decades now and there is no prospect for recovery.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/12/we-dont-spoon-feed-graduates-govt/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

"We Create Opportunities, Take Or Leave" - Govt

The Minister of Lands, Anxious Masuka has said that some officials in the ministry were transferred from Masvingo and Midlands provinces in a bid to stop illegal distribution of land.
Masuka made the claims while responding to a question from Chief Fortune Charumbira in the Senate. He claimed that the transfers were effected following reports which implicated the employees in illegal land deals. He said:
<blockquote>Those who were in Masvingo were sent to Midlands and those who were in Midlands were sent elsewhere. We thought this would bring the shady land deals to an end. But we have noticed that the gravity of this issue is more than we expected. It is an issue that we need to address as a united force.</blockquote>
Masuka also indicated that the officials were illegally allocating pastures to members of the public for the purposes of erecting houses.
He added that both the officials who would have sold the land and those who are building homes in such areas were breaking the law.
In the past, local government authorities have resorted to demolishing structures built on undesignated areas.
More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/ministry-officials-transferred-over-land-deals/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daily News</a>

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