By Thulani Mpofu

A senior Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) official is locked in a wrangle with 12 families over the ownership of a game-rich farm in Gwanda, seized from its white owner six years ago.

The 3 300-hectare game ranch was seized from its white owner only named as Darlow under the government’s land reforms in 2002. The property was then subdivided into twelve 275 hectare plots and parcelled out to 12 families.

The farm, which Darlow operated as Tamba Safaris, is situated some 70km south of Gwanda town and some of the improvements on it include a farmhouse, water tanks and a lodge.

However, six years after the families invaded the property, ZITF Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Cecilia Bhebhe wants to take over.

But the villagers will have none of it and have threatened to respond to Bhebhe’s moves with violence.

“We were allocated these plots in terms of the law in October 2002,” said one of the farmers, Dolicia Singo.

“I was given an offer letter which is dated 15 October 2002, my plot number is eight, and it measures 275 hectares.

“So if she (Bhebhe) wants to evict us from here, where does she want us to go?”

Singo produced the offer letter, signed by an M W Dhewa of the district administrator’s office in Gwanda. It is dated October 15 2002 and notes her national identity registration number and home address.

For her part Bhebhe insists she is the rightful owner of the wildlife-rich ranch saying she has a valid offer letter for the property.

“I have a valid offer letter to prove that the farm belongs to me,” she said, referring further questions to Provincial Governor, Angeline Masuku.

Another farmer, Velaphi Moyo, who claims to be a war veteran said, “We know the Governor is behind all this. We hear she is friends with Bhebhe.  But she must know better, she cannot force our eviction from here just like that.”

Vembe Mlilo, another farmer claimed they fought hard to see off Darlow adding that local Member of Parliament, Abednico Ncube intervened to block another eviction attempt back in 2004.

“After all that, someone who was living comfortably in Bulawayo just comes along telling us to move.  Is that fair? That is not what we fought for and we will resist any moves to eject us from here,” he said, tearfully.