This week, the Zimbabwe government said that it would not reverse plans to seize the giant Mkwasine sugar estates that are owned by South Africa’s Anglo-American Corporation.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s visit to Zimbabwe by Anglo officials who are trying to persuade the government to return Mkwasine, Willard Chiwewe, the governor of Masvingo province, in which the estate is located, said the firm should not expect any favours from Harare. “We will leave them with Triangle and Hippo Valley only,” he said. These are Zimbabwe’s largest sugar estates, which, like Mkwasine, are located in the country’s south-eastern lowveld.
Last September, the 11 500ha Mkwasine sugar estate was issued with a Section 8 order, which, under the land acquisition laws, gives the company 90 days to wind up operations and vacate the property.
Although the government said it was not going to seize timber, tea and sugar estates, several are now targeted for acquisition. The seizures are also in violation of bilateral trade and investment protection agreements with several countries, including South Africa.
President Robert Mugabe’s farm seizure programme has knocked food production down by 60%.