The Sunday Mail
DISTURBANCES at CAG Plantations – formerly Chihosa Estates – in Chipinge, which presently focuses on growing macadamia nuts, have the potential to scupper potentially lucrative horticultural exports, particularly to neighbouring South Africa.
CAG Plantations owner Mr Collen Gura, who is the former chief executive officer of Metallon Gold, the country’s biggest gold producer, was recently ordered to vacate the farm by the acting chief lands officer of Manicaland Province, Mr Onai Sithole, under the pretext that he had occupied gazetted land without an offer letter, resettlement lease and or permit from Government (the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement).
Mr Sithole, in a letter dated December 11, 2014, gave Mr Gura 45 days to vacate the farm.
“I am also duly authorised by the Ministry of Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement to serve eviction notices and orders to anyone who illegally occupy farms gazetted by the Government for resettlement purposes.
“This letter serves to notify you, Collen Gura, to vacate the Remainder of Strepie of Hofstede, Chipinge district, as you do not have lawful authority from Government to occupy the farms. In terms of the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act, it is a criminal offence for one to occupy gazetted land without an offer letter, resettlement lease, or land permit from the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement,” read part of the letter.
However, it has since emerged that the estates in dispute were not gazetted by Government but were acquired by Mr Gura in 2006.
Though a gazette was issued in 2002, it was subsequently withdrawn by the Administrative Court of Zimbabwe through two court orders: Case number LA1868/02 dated July 17, 2003 and LA1644/02 dated March 17, 2005.
It is believed that the estates were covered by a bilateral agreement.
Of the purchase price of Z$4,5 billion that was charged then by Mr Vince Cugnet and Mr Jason Ridley, representatives of H. De Foiard Brown, the holding company of the estates, only US$50 000 is still outstanding after the debt was converted to United States dollars.
But there are deep-seated fears that the current dispute might negatively affect business activity at the farm.
Currently, there is a South African export order of an initial average of US$449 280 from 150 tonnes of nuts-in-shell annually beginning May this year.
Already, a nut-cracking machine in preparation of the export order has been installed.
Since 2006, huge cash resources have been ploughed into the venture, including a Z$5,6 billion that was sourced from Stanbic Bank in 2005.
There are 100 hectares with more than 31 200 trees with a selling value of US$156 000.
It is forecast that in four years’ time, processed nuts and export sales might soar to 400 tonnes worth US$6 million.
Macadamia nuts are native to Australia but they are now being grown commercially in other parts of the world.
They have a sweet taste and are a rich source of energy.
The nuts can be processed into soap, body lotions and cosmetics, while crushed nuts can be used in making cakes.
A macadamia tree yields about 100 kilogrammes of nuts per season and a tonne of dehusked nuts fetches more than US$2 000.
Estimates suggest that a good crop can earn a farmer US$7 000 per hectare. About 120 farmers grow macadamia nuts across the country.
Though there is heightened activity in Chipinge, the nuts are also grown in Nyanga, Chimanimani and Marondera. Zimbabwe exports the product to South Africa, which in turn ships the product to Europe.
