The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has officially dismissed circulating claims on social media that community members stole potatoes from Strathmore Farm in Banket, following the release of a statement by ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi on October 1.
The farm, owned by Retired High Court Judge Vernanda Cecil Ziyambi, is currently leased to Jonathan Timothy Mackwade for potato farming.
According to Nyathi, preliminary investigations indicated that the harvesting of potatoes had begun approximately two weeks prior and concluded on September 23, 2024.
On September 24, the farm manager granted permission to farm workers and local residents to collect damaged potatoes from the harvesting area, contradicting the narrative of theft depicted in a viral video.
“Reference is made to a viral video alleging theft of potatoes at Strathmore Farm, Banket. The ZRP dismisses these claims and affirms that the community did not invade the farm to steal potatoes,” Nyathi stated.
He also urged the public to refrain from spreading false information regarding the incident, highlighting the need for responsible sharing of information.
This situation raises questions about Ziyambi’s acquisition of the farm, as it is unclear if she obtained it through purchase or as part of the government’s controversial land reform program that has created a complex landscape of land ownership in Zimbabwe.
Over the past two decades, a troubling trend has emerged where individuals granted farms without cost often lack the resources to farm effectively, leading to a situation where they lease the land to landless farmers, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and inequality in the agricultural sector.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
