A group of ZIPRA veterans, widows, and children of deceased ex-combatants have set up camp in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, protesting the government’s failure to help them reclaim properties they say were seized after independence.
The group has spent three winter nights on land in Pearview, a new suburb developed on property allegedly belonging to Nitram Holdings, a company established by former ZIPRA fighters in 1980 using demobilisation payouts.
Each veteran reportedly contributed $50 to form the company, which went on to acquire 52 assets, including farms and buildings.
Led by Moffat “Commander” Karomo, around 50 protesters are camped opposite Mzari Extension, near Machamire.
They demand the return of Nitram properties allegedly taken during the Gukurahundi era, vowing to remain until the assets are handed back.
Karomo told NewZimbabwe.com on 14 May that their protest, including a recent occupation at Glen Forest, had the backing of Vice President Kembo Mohadi. Said Karomo:
We are here with the blessings of VP Mohadi, and we are here to take back what was illegally taken away from ZIPRA combatants, widows and their children who are wallowing in abject poverty.
Karomo asserted that in Chinhoyi, Nitram not only owns the extensive land on which the Pearview medium-density suburb is situated, but is also the rightful owner of both the Old Chinhoyi Hotel and the Caves Hotel, currently managed by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks).
He further claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had instructed war veterans to identify their assets across the country to enable the government to facilitate their repossession. Karomo said:
Mnangagwa must show his sincerity now. Since he instructed us to identify our properties, we are doing exactly that; that’s why we are here in Chinhoyi today on one of our properties.
We are not here to fight anyone, but those who took what doesn’t belong to them are the ones out to fight us.
It’s been 45 years of being taken for a ride. We are not politicking nor engaging in factional politics. We are all ZANU PF, but we want to hear from President Mnangagwa what he has to say, now that we have identified our properties.
The government, which seized Nitram Holdings’ properties following alleged discoveries of arms caches at farms in the Midlands and Bulawayo provinces, is accused of stalling the process of returning the assets to ex-ZIPRA fighters, widows, and their children.
The Nitram Holdings board has previously accused unnamed influential government officials of deliberately undermining efforts to reclaim the properties.
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