The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
TIMBER producing companies in Chimanimani should consider ceding small portions of the land that has been lying idle for years to landless villagers, national and traditional leaders in the district have said.
The leaders argue that this move will bring a lasting solution to the sprouting of illegal settlements and wanton destruction of plantations.
Due to sour relations between timber producing companies and locals, illegal settlements and destruction of timber plantations through veld fires have been perennial challenges for the companies in the Eastern Highlands. Clear acts of sabotage through deliberately burning down plantations have been witnessed over the years as villagers resist eviction from the timber producing companies’ land.
Not even the recently launched “Operation Dzoka Kwawakabva” has managed to rid timber plantations of illegal settlers. Local leaders interviewed by The Manica Post early this week said timber producers in Chimanimani must consider ceding some of their idle land to landless villagers to minimise the conflicts.
Chimanimani East legislator Cde Joshua Sacco said there was need to bring Allied Timbers Zimbabwe and the local leadership onto the negotiating table to iron out a number of issues.
“ATZ and the local communities need to come to the negotiating table, especially here in Chimanimani where we have timber estates at Tarka, Gwindingwi, Cashel, Chisengu, Nyambeya, Martin and so on.
“Through Allied Timbers, the Forestry Commission owns some land here in Chimanimani. However due to population growth, some people have settled on the periphery of the plantations.
“In some cases, Allied Timbers has failed to replant trees after harvesting, thereby compounding the situation as landless people see that as an opportunity to settle,” said Cde Sacco.
Proportional representation Member of the House of Assembly, Cde Esther Chikuni echoed Cde Sacco’s sentiments, saying there is urgent need to improve relations between timber producing companies and the communities surrounding the estates. “We have been saying it over and over again. The timber producing companies need to cede portions of the land they are not using to the communities. The companies cannot just hold on to idle land while the population is expanding,” she said.
Chief Mutambara agreed with the proposal.
“We understand the importance of timber production and its contribution to the economy. However, small portions of land will make a huge difference for our people. The companies should consider letting go the land that has been lying idle for years. By the way the people are not clamouring for large tracts of land,” he said.
Headman Stephen Chieza said: “The mistrust and conflict is emanating from the fact that these timber producing companies are holding on to idle land. Local communities need to feel that these companies are concerned about their well-being.”
Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said all the relevant stakeholders need to be consulted before a decision is made.
“Allied Timbers, for example, does not own the land in question. lt is owned by the Forestry Commission in trust. It is State land. After consultating all stakeholders on the issue, Cabinet will make a decision on the way forward.
“This can be easily resolved. Ceding part of the land will have its advantages. It will also improve relations between the companies and locals through their social contract. It will create a win-win situation but it is going to be a Cabinet decision,” said Minister Ndlovu.
