The Sunday Mail
BARELY an hour after enjoying fake public displays of affection characterised by constant hugs and kisses, the unsuspecting tobacco farmer was ushered into a shower at a lodge before the woman of easy virtue made good her escape with all his earnings.
Donning a trendy jumpsuit, the woman – who had concealed her age with more than a fair share of make-up – made her victim believe the lodge was her home.
It was only after taking a shower that the chap discovered that he had parted ways with his fortune and would need to work hard next season to recover.
Such are the challenges some of our brothers who are into tobacco farming are facing in the big city.
While the tobacco selling season opened pretty early this year to ensure growers have ample time to deliver their crop to the auction floors, this development comes with its fair share of challenges for farmers, as it means more time to be duped.
Some unknown music outfits playing home-made guitars are also out to wring cash out of the farmers.
They serenade their victims all night and when they snooze, the thieves they will be working in cahoots with then pounce.
Farmers are, therefore, finding themselves between a rock and a hard place.
Bargain meals
Some food vendors are deceptively selling farmers bargain meals – prepared using rotting meat cooked in tonnes of spices to camouflage the smell – for US$1.
These vendors wake up in the dead of the night to buy yellowing vegetables and damaged tomatoes to make cheap meals for the farmers.
In addition, jalopies so old that one would think their components are being held together by rust are also being fixed in order to be sold to unsuspecting farmers.
Those who sell fake agro-chemicals and fertilisers have also set up shop at tobacco selling points, where they are offloading tonnes of counterfeit products.
Self-styled carpenters, those who make rickety beds and wardrobes using cheap material, are also in on the action.
“Ukarara unosara. I am working hard all night to ensure I have uniforms, clothes and other wares for the farmers.
“They are my very good customers and if I do not complete building my house this year, I do not think that I ever will,” one tailor told this writer.
“The farmers are easy to deal with because they can buy anything, no matter the quality. This is my chance to make money,” she said.
The tailor is not alone.
In Harare, people living in suburbs like Glen Norah, Hopley, Waterfalls, Glen View, Highfield, Southerton and Lochinvar – which are close to tobacco auction floors – have converted their homes into lodges and shebeens to capitalise on the presence of cash-rich farmers.
“My friend, people need to eat, sleep and drink. I have converted my house into a lodge so that I can get at least something from the farmers. I periodically supply them with young ladies to while away time and I cannot complain about the earnings,” one house owner told this writer.
Gentle reader, the goings-on at the tobacco auction floors – where some farmers are being made to pay some officials for their crop to get higher grades – calls for the authorities to ensure farmers are not prejudiced.
The farmers also need training on how best to use their money because a fool and his money are soon parted.
Inotambika mughetto.
Feedback: rosenthal.mutakati @zimpapers.co.zw
