I have decided to be slightly controversial in my final thoughts at the end of the year. They are not meant to denigrate the efforts and dedication shown by our new representative group's achievements over the past year. Instead, it is once again my musings from lifelong experiences on my take of events and a possible strategy on the way forward.
The social media and apps regarding farm compensation matters have gone crazy over the past two weeks. Because of the lack of transparency in the Government's actions and the confusion in its, and perhaps in our thinking, much of what is written is based on pure conjecture, at times not conducive to achieving our common cause.
“There are very few substantive facts about the negotiations regarding compensation for our land and its improvements; this is how the Government likes it. The one fact cast in stone is that we, as the legal title deed holders, were forced from our properties without compensation in violation of local and international law. This fact should be our focus, not the post-event actions enacted by the Government to try and confuse and divide us and the world to disguise its lack of integrity in trying to rectify this criminality.” - Peter McSporran
The amount of conjecture by individuals and even groups can only be described as hectic, portraying the desperation of many of us in dire straits in our old age, many living in poverty through no fault of their own. I should also mention the negativity of a few also contributes to the division
. Here in Portugal, when things get hectic or voices are raised, the level-headed in the group will say ‘calma, calma’, meaning calm down; let's sort this issue out sensibly—good advice from a nation I consider lacking in aggression in its daily life. The only time this is different is when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle, any vehicle, where speed and aggression seem to be the adopted trait of most— a fundamental contradiction. The truth is that when we do not remain calm, the focus of our anger can be directed at each other rather than the real enemy, and as in a vehicle, accidents can happen. Portugal, one of the world's most peaceful countries, has the most fatal road accidents in Europe.
Getting back to the prolific posts spawned by the Government's latest action in issuing what can only be described as counterfeit title deeds, which, in their wisdom they believe, will allow the new owners of our stolen properties to sell the land or borrow money against these titles from the banks. My advice here is to be calm, as whatever they do with the land or titles has little to do with their original action and our claims for compensation on events that happened some twenty-odd years ago.
“The newly issued title deeds will likely become as valuable as the currencies they regularly create in their battle to hide their inadequacies in running the country along with being driven by their need to find new scams to feed their greed.” - Peter McSporran
Our legal claims are for our losses at that time, hopefully value adjusted to accommodate the late payment, the rest are just distractions. The Government needs distractions, smoke and mirrors. As I have oftentimes said, it has neither the funds, especially in foreign currency, nor even the will for substantive payment to the ex-white farmers and those blacks seen as political enemies.
The Government has become expert in distracting us from the main issue, instigating heated arguments based on suppositions, and creating divisions within our midst, often over irrelevant matters. To add to our division, I do not doubt that token initial payments will be made under the Farm Compensation Agreement (FCA).
“Discourse amongst us instigated by the actions of Government is often only substantiated by rumour and suppositions. Conjecture and supposition are the enemy of logical thought in resolving complicated issues.” - Peter McSporran
The Compensation Steering Committee has put out a survey for all of us title deed holders to complete. It is a good idea, and hopefully, most of us will comply to enable them to better understand the wishes of who they represent and our hopes regarding compensation to guide them on the way forward in their deliberations including, hopefully, negotiations. It is a simple survey which I still have to complete, my initial attempts were thwarted in trying to find my farms on the map. I have now overcome this. As the information required in the questionnaire regarding identity and ownership of our properties at the time of confiscation is common knowledge, I am not concerned about sharing. However, I should also add that I am very concerned many of the elderly will need assistance in completing these electronic forms. Some volunteers perhaps should make themselves available to talk them through it or actually assist them. Those who can use the new communication technology are often unaware of the challenges of those who cannot. Many no longer have computers, nor are surveys easy to complete on a smartphone unless you are nimble of mind and digits.
Along with the new title, the JVs between the ‘new’ farmers and the land thieves have again become part of the conversation. I know some of these people in JVs even offer some benefit to the original landowners, but this, in the broader context, does not mitigate the fact that they, by definition, are collaborators as they directly support the illegal benefactors and, therefore, indirectly in the continued survival of the ZANU-PF government. While I do not envisage any criminal punishment, I can envisage court claims for retribution regarding the use of stolen property and its assets if neither permission nor payment was made to the original owners. Unlikely, you say, maybe, but one successful court case could lead to mass litigation stopping not just with the direct offender but also those who financially supported or contracted them.
“The truth is that in history it has been shown that collaborators do not fare well when freedom and the rule of law returns.” - Peter McSporran
We are far from that, but I am struggling to see how the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) can represent us and its JV membership. This is not a question of their dedication, ability or integrity. Despite my respect for the new CFU leadership, representing two diverse interest groups can only lead to conflict and undermine our trust in them. To resolve this, we will need a significant change of mindset from both the CFU and us on the way forward on our representative negotiating structures. We must seek compensation using a group that is unconflicted in their representation.
“Conflicts of interest can be used as a deadly lever in any negotiations.” - Peter McSporran
As much as I try to convince myself that the CFU is the right organisation, I cannot reconcile this if it has JV farmers as members. They may even pay more to the CFU in subs than we do as Title Deed Holders (TDHs) and, therefore, the CFU are unlikely, probably obligated, not to do anything that may compromise its own survival. Perhaps the Compensation Steering Committee is the vehicle for negotiations, but how would we fund it if not through the CFU? Once again, influence can be leveraged unless it is self-supporting.
"The Government knows its obligation with its main play being to not meet these obligations, or at the very least delay the substantive part of them which dilutes the value with the use of time and our desperation."- Peter McSporran
As an aside, 1 USD in 2000 is equal to USD$1.85 today. So, instead of agreeing to a discount, we should rather claim a premium reflecting this loss in value.
As always, finance and people's time become an issue; how would we fund and give the required time to enable the CSC or alternate identified vehicle to be an independent organisation? Alternatively, perhaps use an organisation that already exists, such as SAAI. If so, it must be a separate Zimbabwean-led and driven autonomous sub-committee. Like many, my thoughts are not actions. I started writing this to advise us to calm down rather than argue amongst ourselves. In the end, despite the numerous red herrings, legal leverage will be the only way to achieve full, fair or even partial compensation; anything else will be a compromise at our expense.
“Whatever we do, it must not compromise the enactment of the rule of law when it returns, as it surely must, in our efforts to seek compensation.” - Peter McSporran
When our good friend Yasser Toor visited us recently, he presented us with a brilliant set of miniature speakers. As much of our day is spent on routine tasks, the addition of music once again has added to the enjoyment of our day. We particularly like listening to the now South African broadcaster LM Radio as it is nice to hear Southern African accents in the house, even if only through the radio. My daughter Janine, who edits my English, recently said this which I think applies to life:
“Knowing you can do the mundane with music makes it an easier task and while carrying out these tedious daily tasks, it is a good time for processing your thoughts. Find the music in the mundane.” - Janine MacSporran
So ,my advice for 2025 is to listen to the music and remain calm. Happy New Year!
Disclaimer: Copyright Peter McSporran. The content in this blog represents my personal views and does not reflect corporate entities.
Comments