By Rungano Dzikira
Zimbabwe has been commended for facilitating the compensation of former commercial farmers, with development partners pledging to unlock investment in the Agricultural Sector.
Speaking during a Zoom discussion, this Monday, under the theme ‘Towards sustainable development, unpacking the agreement between Government and former farm owners’, the Compensation steering committee member – (a committee representing former farm owners) Harry Orhanides, said that they had already started working closely with Government to ensure that the US3,5 billion obligation is met within the stipulated time period.
This discussion followed the agreement by the Government of Zimbabwe and former farms owners, to compensate them, under the Global Compensation Deed for improvements made on the farms, last Wednesday.
“A 50% down payment is supposed to be paid within 12 months of signing of the agreement and the balance is to be paid over a period of 48 months thereafter; and considering the working rapport which we have established, it is achievable,” he said.
“The time has come to put this issue to bed. And the role that we are playing as farmers is to engage on a feasible roadmap to achieve this. So far we have been getting technical assistance from the World Bank, and working on a feasible agenda together with Government on the best way forward,” he said.
The UNDP Zimbabwe Resident representative, George Van Montfort, reiterated that the signing of the agreement was prudent as it highlighted Government’s commitment to correcting those who had been wronged.
“The issue to do with land is very sensitive, not only in Zimbabwe but the world over because agriculture is usually the cornerstone for socio-economic development in many countries and Zimbabwe is no exception.
“Likewise this move is likely to unlock foreign investment, partnerships, as well as foster the much needed trust from the developing partners to boost the Agricultural Sector,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube further assured Government’s commitment, adding that Government was enroute to ensuring the repayment of the former farm owners.
He highlighted that the compensation figure had been arrived at after extensive negotiations from independent assessors of international standing, to review the computations by both parties, and to recommend a global valuation figure for the improvements.
“The valuation review was done with technical assistance from experts seconded by the World Bank on biological assets, land clearing, among other things, to ensure fairness,” he said.
This move generally casts a positive reflection on the Second Republic and its political commitment to successfully conclude the land redistribution process in a noble manner.
