Hands off tourism assets: Mzembi

 TOURISM and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi says Matobo North legislator Never Khanye cannot take over Big Cave Camp in Matobo District as tourism assets cannot be acquired by default through offer letters. Khanye is embroiled in a land dispute with a white farmer Dave Waddy over Mhlahlandlele Farm which encompasses the tourism camp.

On Monday, the MP said Mzembi had no jurisdiction over the matter as he was in possession of an offer letter issued by the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement.

However, Mzembi told The Chronicle that although he could not comment much on the matter as it is now before the courts, offer letters cannot be used to take over tourism assets.

“The matter is now subjudice, that notwithstanding, we are trying to bring the two parties together to understand how the Tourism sector will enforce the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act. Tourism assets will not be acquired by default through offer letters, and the legislator seems to understand that now,” said Mzembi.

Khanye could not be reached immediately on the minister’s claim.

Waddy was served with an eviction order by the MP in December last year and he appealed to the tourism ministry and also took the matter to court.

In a final order granted on February 10, 2015, High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese said the land was owned by the white farmer.

Following the judgment, Khanye filed another application at the High Court and the matter is yet to be concluded.

Mzembi also wrote to Lands Minister Douglas Mombeshora pleading with him to reconsider the move to allocate the farm to the Zanu-PF legislator on the grounds that Big Cave camp is a thriving tourism concern.

“I note with dismay that the district lands officer of Matobo District proceeded to issue a notice to vacate to the current owners of Mhlahlandlele Farm where the Big Cave/lodge, a thriving tourism facility under my ministry, is located,” Mzembi wrote to Mombeshora.

“This is in spite of my averments to you Honourable Minister, in a letter of 16 December 2014 that the matter be considered and handled in a manner consistent with the current thrust of national policy on indigenisation and empowerment, which I quoted from the 2015 budget for your ease of reference.”

Mzembi said the matter should be reconsidered as it could severely undermine the sector going forward.

Source: Hands off tourism assets: Mzembi (08/05/2015)