Bogus war veterans want to evict deputy minister from farm

By Tichaona Sibanda
23 February 2006

Deputy Education minister Isiah Shumba is being hounded off his plot by a group of bogus war veterans at Somerby estate about 20 km outside Harare towards Norton.

The deputy minister recently took over the farm homestead after the original owner of the property was forced to flee by the chairman of the Rangano farming co-operative, which allegedly sub-divided the farm when it was invaded in 2002.

Michael Sibanda, the chairman of the farming co-operative and a bogus war veteran wants Shumba off the farm for allegedly not partaking in any farming activity.

Our Harare correspondent, Simon Muchemwa confirmed that no farming activities have been carried out on the farm during the last three years. The farm was demarcated into several small-holder plots, but Rangano farming co-operative now wants to grab the farm exclusively for a few of its elite members.

Muchemwa said the deputy minister has been powerless to stop the bogus officials from harassing him, despite armed police guards being posted outside his homestead.

‘You wouldn’t think he is a senior government official, let alone a deputy minister of education if you look at the way they talk to him,’ said Muchemwa.

Muchemwa named two other culprits Simbarashe Mazvidza Mugota and Albert Kure, also known as ‘Dread’ as part of the gang that has been constantly harassing the deputy minister and other plot holders at Somerby estate.