Land compensation: I am simply following the Constitution, says Zim president

Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed claims by his critics and supporters that his government has sold out by agreeing to pay compensation to white former commercial farmers.

Early this week, his government budgeted RTGS$53m (about R238m at current exchange rates) as part payment for the estimated 4 500 white farmers who lost their farmland in the chaotic land reform programme in 2000.

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Critics, including EFF leader Julius Malema, have castigated Mnangagwa's decision to allow farmers to be compensated for farm improvements.

'Sell out' 

Said Malema, “It’s a sellout position. The way he is going about it, he is not going to finish his term."

“That country (Zimbabwe) is swimming in a pool of poverty; they can’t afford basic things like primary health, proper education and infrastructure. He gets money and goes to give it to people who are not deserving. He is reversing the gains of the revolution struggle. It’s unsustainable.”

• READ: White Zim farmers accept R238m interim payment for land compensation

But Mnangagwa said his government was simply following the country's constitution which provides for the compensation of improvements made on the farms and not on the land.

Section 72 of the Zimbabwe Constitution stipulates that where land is acquired for public purpose, no compensation is payable in respect of its acquisition, except for improvements effected on it before its acquisition.

The provision is contained in Zimbabwe's new constitution which was voted for by 95% of voters in 2013.

• READ: The long road to compensation for Zimbabwe's farmers

It was crafted through a collective effort with senior opposition leaders as part of the legal leading team.

'Government will meet its obligation'

Addressing the ruling party's Youth Assembly in Harare, Mnangagwa said, “In agriculture, the land reform is irreversible and Section 72 of the Constitution is very clear in this regard. However, the same Constitution provides that no compensation is payable in respect of its acquisition, except for improvements effected on the land before its acquisition.

• READ: Zimbabwe land compensation: This is a chance to move forward, says white farmer

“For a long time Government has provided through the fiscus for such payments in respect of the said compensation on improvements of the land. Government will meet its obligation as outlined in the Constitution," he said.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we fought for land and there is no way we will retract our position with regards to the land reform."