Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) Director Ben Purcell-Gilpin said the $53 million proposed by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube cannot solve the compensation issue.
In his 2019 national budget presentation on Thursday, Ncube proposed $53 million to compensate white farmers. Despite stating that the money proposed by Ncube will not be enough, Purcell-Gilpin said it showed Government has not forgotten about the need to repay those who lost their farms over the past 18 years, He said some of the farmers are in desperate financial straits.
Purcell-Gilpin said it was also possible that most of the $53 million allocated under Thursday’s budget would compensate foreign landowners, who were protected by BIPPA trade agreements. Around 40 Dutch farmers under BIPPA trade agreements have been trying for years to get around $25 million from Government.
More: NewZimbabwe.com
White commercial farmers received eno0ugh compensation during the time that they were exploiting the land and people of Zimbabwe. Why must people who are already well off more money — and for that matter, money which will leave the country without generating production.
For those white farmers who wish to return, yes, they must be assisted to establish production. The correct slogan at the beginning of land reform was, “One family: one farm.” It was wrong to deprive white farmers of ALL their land. But the key is production. Compensation of white farmers no longer farming is unnecessary.
Let the compensation of white farmers and former black businessmen in urban – rural be part of the revival of the long term strategy on agro-industrialization driven economic development of Zimbabwe. The hateful and disruptive land reform in both its domestic and external message is not only part of the underdevelopment and commotion of Zimbabwe but Africa, yet it is surmountable if it done with the wisdom of God for it has a human face and Grace.