President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has reportedly reclaimed extensive land holdings belonging to former first lady Grace Mugabe, her daughter Bona, and other relatives. This move, perceived as a targeted attack by Mugabe’s successor, aims to diminish their political influence in Zimbabwe.
Sources close to the Mugabe family allege that these land seizures are part of a calculated effort to undermine them within Zimbabwean political circles. According to reports, vast portions of land owned by Grace Mugabe, including her Mazowe citrus farm housing an orphanage and school, have been transferred to Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe. There are plans to develop commercial projects on these properties.
The reclamation extends beyond Grace Mugabe. Bona Mugabe has reportedly lost significant portions of her farm in Mashonaland Central, now allocated to the widow of the late Zanla commander Josiah Magama Tongagara. The Ministry of Lands has confirmed the redistribution, citing the acquisition of infrastructure originally installed by Bona.
Additionally, Grace Mugabe’s niece, Florence Zinyemba, and her husband Flavian have been evicted from their farmhouse, Protea Farm, to make way for Auxilia Mnangagwa’s charity initiative, the Angel of Hope Foundation. This pattern of redistributing land to Mnangagwa loyalists and allies is seen as part of a broader strategy to consolidate political power.
The Mugabe family views these actions as ongoing hostilities stemming from Mnangagwa’s rise to power following the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe. Grace Mugabe’s vocal opposition to Mnangagwa’s leadership and her subsequent political activities have been met with these targeted land seizures.
Government officials have declined to comment on the specifics of these repossessions, maintaining silence on the matter. The broader implications of these actions, reminiscent of Zimbabwe’s controversial land reform program under Mugabe’s rule, raise concerns about the future of the country’s agricultural sector.
President Mnangagwa previously announced a policy restricting individuals to owning one farm each, citing fairness and economic efficiency. However, these redistributions are not without controversy, given Zimbabwe’s history of land reform and its impact on agricultural productivity and international relations.
In other news – Five people die after car overturns in Eastern Cape
Five individuals, including a seven-year-old girl, tragically lost their lives when the driver of their vehicle lost control and it overturned near Bedford in the Eastern Cape. The incident occurred shortly after 10pm on Saturday, approximately 3km outside Bedford on the R63 road to Adelaide.
According to Unathi Binqose, spokesperson for the provincial transport department, the vehicle involved was a Renault Sandero traveling from Adelaide towards Bedford. It carried seven occupants: six females and one male, among them a seven-year-old girl. Read More
