Matonga harvests, loots neighbour's farm

Matonga harvests, loots neighbour's farm

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By Lebo Nkatazo

ZIMBABWE'S Deputy Information Minister, Bright Matonga, has looted irrigation equipment and forcibly harvested oranges and beans from a neighbouring farm owned by Thomas Beattie, signed affidavits show.

The revelations were made in a letter written to Didymus Mutasa, the country's Minister of National Security, Lands and Resettlement as well as in affidavits filed before the Harare High Court by Beattie -- one of Zimbabwe's few remaining commercial white farmers.

Beattie is a Zanu PF supporter whose farm was divided and parceled out to Matonga in 2004 sparking a land ownership dispute.

Matonga joins a host of ministers accused of looting irrigation equipment from lucrative properties.

Mutasa, Transport Minister Chris Mushohwe, Agriculture Minister Joseph
Made, Manicaland governor Tinaye Chigudu and others have been accused of
looting from Kondozi estate, located in Odzi, Manicaland Province.

Mushohwe has since returned his loot.

The Attoney General recently wrote to Manicaland police to investigate the ministers for purposes of prosecution, giving a deadline of June 19.

Sources said the head of police in Manicaland Ronald Muderedzwa was awaiting instructions from police commissioner Augustine Chihuri.

Unsuccessful attempts were made to get comment from Matonga last night.
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