Staff Reporter
Government continues to reaffirm its commitment towards the fulfillment of the Global Compensation Deed (GCD) despite the illegal sanctions that continue to slow down its process.
This development comes in the wake of a meeting that was held between the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) Advisor, Eddie Cross and the former commercial farmers where he assured them of the Government`s willingness to honour its compensation promise.
A source who spoke to this publication revealed that Cross assured the farmers that they would get 10% of the total compensation over a period of five years, with the balance being paid over fifteen years.
“A closed door meeting was held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) between the CFU Advisor Eddie Cross and the former commercial farmers, where the former informed the latter that Government is committed to settle the outstanding balance of US$3 billion.
“Cross advised the farmers that the Government will pay them 10% of the total compensation over a period of five years, while the balance will be paid over fifteen years. A commitment to pay US$35 million to the farmers annually for the first three years was made, with US$295 million being paid in the fourth year,” said the source.
Meanwhile, the source disclosed that CFU members attacked opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim national treasurer, David Coltart for being pessimistic about Government’s commitment to the GCD with an agenda to have illegal sanctions maintained on Zimbabwe in order to further their party`s regime change schema.
According to the source, the attack on Coltart follows his recent tweet where he negatively criticized Cross and the United Refineries Limited (URL) Chief Executive Officer, Busisa Moyo, for having travelled to Washington D.C to lobby for the removal of sanctions on behalf of Government in the company of Arent Fox and Schiff members.
Arent Fox and Schiff is an international law firm which is working together with the Government in advising the later on how to settle the Global Compensation Deed. Furthermore, the CFU members are also willing to engage the law firm to challenge the British Government for breaching the Lancaster House Agreement, in particular the compensation of white farmers.
