There has been a predictable backlash from certain quarters against the Government’s decision to issue title deeds to resettled farmers, a move aimed at concluding Zimbabwe’s historic Land Reform Programme (LRP).
These imperial sympathizers, or “running dogs,” continue to undermine this crucial step towards securing land rights for indigenous Zimbabweans. Their argument is rooted in the flawed claim that the land redistributed during the LRP remains contested and that it is impossible to issue title deeds without a deed of cession from the former white commercial farmers. Additionally, they argue that beneficiaries of the LRP should not be allowed to sell their land only to fellow indigenous Zimbabweans.
First and foremost, a fundamental question arises: where did former white commercial farmers obtain their land? The answer is simple. The colonialists forcibly seized land from indigenous Zimbabweans, with no legitimate purchase involved. They then enacted unjust laws, such as the Land Apportionment Act and the Land Husbandry Act, to entrench their control. The land was never purchased; it was stolen. Yet, these Neo-imperialists continue to perpetuate the myth that their title deeds are legitimate, demanding compensation for both land and developments before any cession occurs. This argument is not only superfluous but also idiotic.
These critics, who once vehemently opposed the LRP, are now lamenting the fact that they did not benefit from the redistribution process. Now that the Government is issuing title deeds, they are incensed that patriotic Zimbabweans will have the right to sell their land to indigenous citizens, excluding those who previously resisted the land repossession efforts. Their hypocrisy is glaring. They encouraged their supporters to shun the LRP, but now, seeing the irreversibility of land redistribution, they want a piece of the cake they once rejected.
Another baseless claim being peddled is that the Government will burden all citizens with the cost of honoring the Global Compensation Deed, which allegedly includes payment for stolen land. This is an outright lie. The Government is compensating for developments made on the land, not the land itself. The notion that taxpayers are paying for the land is disingenuous and misleading.
The Government’s decision to issue title deeds to the beneficiaries of the LRP is a laudable step in bringing closure to the liberation struggle’s objectives. It ensures security of tenure and empowers Zimbabweans to fully own and develop their land. Those who continue to oppose this move are clinging to outdated imperial ideologies that have no place in Zimbabwe’s future. Aluta continua! Power to the people! Let those who resist this noble step seek solace in their imperial masters, for the people of Zimbabwe stand firm in the ownership of their land.
