Chamisa Blasts Govt For Chilonga Decision

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has blasted government for its decision to prefer relocating over 12 000 villagers from Chiredzi’s Chilonga village in favour of a lucerne farming project to feed the country’s dairy cattle.

This follows the enactment of Statutory Instrument 50 of 2021 which empowers the Ministry of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development to set aside 6 000 hectares of the land in question for the lucerne project.

“Stop being heartless and cruel. Evicting 12 500 Chilonga villagers in Chiredzi for a grass dairy project is criminal and vile. Chiyadzwa, Chingwizi, Chisumbanje Greenfuel evictions show disdain of citizens. Capital and profits must not undermine citizens’ rights, heritage and dignity,” Chamisa said.

Government gave the green light for the project to commence last year after it engaged a private investor to grow lucerne grass, a development it believes will boost livestock production in the Lowveld. Nhau/Indaba