Obert Mpofu leaves Esidakeni Farm with his tail between the legs

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ZANU PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu and his wife Sikhanyisiwe have finally vacated Esidakeni Farm in Nyamandlovu near Bulawayo following a scathing Supreme Court ruling which condemned the “brazen invasion”. However, they face a hefty bill for causing lost business and inflicting harm on the previously thriving horticultural business. Prominent international human rights lawyer Siphosami Malunga, who holds title to the farm jointly with his business partners Zephaniah Dlamini and Charles Moyo through their company, tweeted last night:

“I’m pleased to confirm that I received a message from my partners, Zeph Charles today to say ‘we’re back on the farm #Esidakeni.’ Tomorrow, we begin taking stock of the loss & damage. Rule of law must always prevail. The mlegal challenge to the Ministerial acquisition continues.” Web, Low and Barry, the law firm representing the trio, had written to Mpofu, giving him until the end of business on Thursday to vacatenthe farm, failing which they would seek a writ of ejectment.

Earlier in the week, Mpofu suffered a set back when he lost his Supreme Court appeal against a High Court order evicting him from Esidakeni Farm. Mpofu and other invaders had argued that they held valid offer letters from the Lands ministry allowing them occupation. The Supreme Court found that Mpofu, his wife Sikhanyisiwe and their company Mswelangubo Farm Ltd, who claim to have invaded the farm in Nyamandlovu on the basis of offer letters, have “no right to resort to self-help in taking over possession without due processof the law”. Malunga, the son of national hero Sydney Malunga and his business partners — Dlamini, a university lecturer and businessman Moyo– are the owners of Esidakeni Farm whose deed of title is registered under Kershelmar Farm (Private) Limited. They accuse the Mpofu and public officials of violating property rights and abusing their authority. The three partners say they have suffered immense financial loss and are determined to hold Mpofu and others accountable.

They took out bank loans to finance crop production and farm infrastructure, which they allege have been laid to waste by the invaders. Malunga has said although the victimisation is painful, it provides a glorious opportunity to expose the abuse of power in Zimbabwe by self-serving politicians and their families.