President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that the government will not be paying compensation to all white commercial farmers who lost land during the chaotic land reform programme, but only those who are old.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail at State House, Mnangagwa revealed that the government is in talks with the British so that they could contribute to the programme to compensate white farmers. He said:
And currently, it is estimated that the compensation may run to something like $3 billion. We are looking at the old white farmers, as we make payment; we don’t pay compensation to those who are fit.
When we feel we do not have resources no one compels us to do anything. But fortunately, now we are having discussions; the commercial farmers and Government on one side, we are now having discussions with the British side also for them to contribute to this compensation.
Mnangagwa said that US$3 billion would be required for the programme, while the former farmers put the figure at $10 billion. Reports indicate that the government has set aside $53 towards the exercise.
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More: The Sunday Mail