Zimbabwe's Attorney General Embroiled in Land Grab Saga
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MWENEZI, July 23, 2009 - Controversial Attorney General (AG) Johannes
Tomana is embroiled in a property dispute after he allegedly snatched a
conservancy from its former white owner in Mwenezi.

Sources say Tomana, a ZANU PF loyalist, grabbed Malingani Ranch in
Mwenezi after getting a "fraudulent" offer letter from Governor Titus
Maluleke in clear disregard for property rights in Zimbabwe.

"He snatched the conservancy from its former owner, Kenned Hood, after
he forced himself unto the conservancy and declared it his using an offer
letter from Maluleke. He is among other ZANU PF heavies like Paul Mangwana,
Hungwe and Maluleke, who are on a final looting spree before a new MDC
governor is appointed," a source within ZANU PF said.

Mangwana is said to have taken Dyres Ranch, while Hungwe grabbed
Mwenezi Block. Maluleke looted Piplings Conservancy as part of his "self
given exit package" following the appointment of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade
Unions (ZCTU) second vice president, Lucia Matibenga as Governor.

Hood confirmed the takeover of his conservancy-which had ten giraffes,
50 kudus, 60 antelopes, 30 buffaloes, ten horses, five lions, two cheeters,
60 cattle and other small animals-by the AG. "Yes, I have been chased off my
property by Tomana. He had an offer letter and they said my farm is now
state land, if I fail to vacate, they would put me into jail."

Tomana, who is at the centre of controversy from as he declared that
he is a ZANU PF supporter, could not be reached for a comment.

The Movement for Democratic Change wants Tomana to be relieved of his
duties due to his partisan stance. His fate-together with that of RBZ
governor Gideon Gono-has since been referred to the Southern African
Development Community, who are the guarantors of the global political
agreement signed between president Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur
Mutambara, leader of the smaller MDC party.

President Robert Mugabe has defended both Tomana and Gono's
appointments, saying they were above board. Mugabe has also said government
will continue to take land and has i gnored SADC tribunal rulings that
ordered that some white farmers be given back their farms.

OMG - a crooked politician - heaven forbid - how unusual

We have a name for it here in the USA, it's called eminent domain. Ask those folks in New Jersey who had their sea shore properties grabbed for no other reason than so developers could build high end condos...because poor people don't deserve to live with an ocean view...but rich folks can't live without it. It seems property stealing knows no bounds whatever country you live in.

and Hell is getting more crowded every day!

I'm sorry, but, the difference between eminent domain and theft is
pretty large. Under our laws when eminent domain is enacted for the public good the owners are compensated. One of my friends, for about 35 years, was an attorney, in Dallas, and he always said that he could get more money for property seized under eminent domain than his client could receive from a private sale

If the property is yours and you don't want to sell then price is not the subject. Of course my experience with lawyers, its always about money. Yours--not theirs.

I concur emphatically.