Former farm owners divided over compensation deal

DIVISIONS have emerged among white former commercial farmers over the Zimbabwean government’s compensation plan for land seized during the controversial fast-track land reform programme two decades ago.

While some farmers have accepted the payments, calling them a step towards closure, others have dismissed the amounts as “token” and are demanding fresh negotiations.

According to media reports, the former farm owners are divided over the token payments offered by the government.

“We are extremely grateful for the compensation, as it marks progress after years of uncertainty,” Andrew Pascoe, head of the compensation steering committee, representing farmers who have accepted the deal, told South Africa’s eNCA.

However, Deon Theron, speaking for a dissenting group of nearly half the 4 000 affected farmers, rejected the arrangement.

“The few, who have accepted this deal, are doing so out of desperation — they need urgent funds for food, shelter and healthcare,” he told eNCA.

“This payment is a tiny fraction of what was promised under the 2020 agreement.”

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube recently said the government had begun disbursing payments, starting with US$3,1 million in cash, equivalent to 1% of the total US$311 million owed to the first batch of 378 farmers.

The remaining amount will be settled through 10-year United States dollar-denominated treasury bonds.

The compensation stems from a 2020 Global Compensation Deed, which set a US$3,5 billion payout for improvements on farms seized during the land reform exercise.

However, financial constraints forced the government to revise the payment structure, sparking discontent among some farmers.

The land redistribution programme, launched in 2000 under the late former President Robert Mugabe, sought to address colonial-era inequalities by transferring white-owned farms to black Zimbabweans.

While the government claims over that 300 000 families benefited, the policy triggered economic turmoil and international sanctions.

Despite frustrations, Theron’s group has ruled out legal action, citing failed attempts to engage the government.

The compensation process is tied to Zimbabwe’s efforts to clear its arrears and debt clearance process as it normalises relations with multilateral and bilateral lenders. Newsday