MDC activists evicted from irrigation scheme in Beitbridge
By Tichaona Sibanda
10 November 2006

An MDC activist who contested the rural district council elections in Beitbridge recently has been evicted from a thriving irrigation scheme together with her two election agents.

Josephine Mkwananzi who stood against Zanu (PF)’s Chipo Nyathi in ward 6 and lost was told Thursday that her presence and that of her agents Sibusiso Hove and Rosina Dube at River range irrigation scheme was causing problems because of their allegiance to the MDC.

Fanuel Mandebvu who lives in Beitbridge told us Friday the trio were told of the evictions during a meeting which was convened at the irrigation scheme Thursday. Tapuzani Mohadi, Zanu (PF) senator for the area and wife of Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi was also present.

‘Apart from Mohadi all the district heads of Zanu (PF) where there at which the MDC activists were notified of the decision to evict them. It was purely on political grounds because for the last three years the activists have produced the best yields at the scheme,’ Mandebvu said.

Launched some years ago to benefit the community in the district, production at the irrigation scheme was initially for subsistence but with improved facilities and the availability of water on a regular basis farmers are now able to grow and harvest crops twice a year.

Mandebvu said the MDC activists have however been told to ignore the evictions and continue with their farming activities. He added that they are prepared to take the matter to court if Zanu (PF) insists on the evictions.