Zimbabwe is willing to compensate white farmers

Zimbabwe is willing to compensate white farmers and clarify its indigenisation laws, said the country's Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa.

Speaking to journalists after meeting visiting Danish Minister of Development, Aid and Trade Mogens Jensen, Chinamasa hinted that government is still seeking resources to implement the compensation of white commercial farmers as prescribed by the constitution.

“I have told my Danish counterpart that we have an obligation under the constitution of Zimbabwe to compensate white farmers who lost their land during the land reform programme.

“It is not out of intention that we are delaying to implement the compensation process, but rather an issue of scarce resources which are needed to fully carry out the programme,” said Chinamasa.

According to a report by the Financial Express, Chinamasa also said government will require support from Denmark to craft mechanisms to address the principal debt crisis which has ballooned by nearly 40% from $6.1bn last year to $9.9bn.

Meanwhile, the Danish government says it can only start working with Zimbabwe after it has successfully shown its willingness to honour the constitution and compensate white farmers who lost their land during the land reform, as well as clarified the country’s indigenisation laws.

Briefing journalists in the capital, Jensen said Zimbabwe has to prove itself a worthy candidate for re-engagement to be assisted in its rebuilding process.

“I am prepared to work with Zimbabwe in order to settle the huge debt overhang. We are also prepared to work with Zimbabwe on infrastructure development and energy production,” said Jensen.

 - Fin24