Zimbabwe’s White Farmers Accuse Government Of Misleading Them Over Land Compensation
Zimbabwe’s white farmers who lost land during the early 2000s land reform programme have accused the government of misleading them over claims that compensation is being paid. According to their representatives, only 1% of the total amount has been paid — and even that is a token amount.
“The bottom line is that government’s recent payments represent a tiny fraction of the GCD’s $3.5 billion – which is already a substantial discount on the actual value of the properties,” said Deon Theron, Acting Chairman of the Compensation Steering Committee (CSC).
“These payments have reached fewer than 10% of farmers.”
Farmers reject bond payments
The CSC, which represents most of the 4,500 commercial farmers who lost their land, issued a media statement on 15 April 2025. It accused the Ministry of Finance of giving “misleading” information to the public and the international community.
In July 2020, the government signed the Global Compensation Deed (GCD), agreeing to pay US$3.5 billion for improvements made on seized farms. Most farmers supported this deal, which was based on a 5-year cash payment plan. But nearly five years later, they say nothing has been paid under that agreement.
“Thousands of farmers – the significant majority – remain uncompensated,” the CSC said.
“A small token payment has been made… [and] the few farmers who accepted it generally did so because they are destitute and need money for food, housing and health care.”
In 2023, the government introduced a new plan — the Farmers Compensation Agreement (FCA) — offering Treasury Bills over 10 years with a low 2% interest rate. Farmers rejected the new proposal in a formal survey.
“In 2020, 3,100 farmers voted for the original deal. In 2023, only 782 voted for the revised offer,” the CSC said.
“Despite this, the government went ahead.”
‘This is not a solution’
The CSC said the FCA was originally presented as interim relief, but is now being falsely promoted as a full solution.
“The FCA is being repositioned and repackaged as a comprehensive compensation solution. This is simply not the case,” Theron said.
Another CSC member, Angus Selby, also criticised the use of long-term bonds.
“These bonds do not clear the debt,” said Selby.
“They merely convert displaced farmers into bondholders reliant on very uncertain, very high-risk, very long-term payouts.”
“We also have legal opinions questioning the limited recourse in the event of non-performance,” he added.
The CSC says the two individuals quoted in recent press releases — Andrew Pascoe and Harry Orphanides — do not represent the current leadership.
“Both were voted out in 2024 for ignoring democratic principles and failing to declare conflicts of interest,” the group stated.
Call for open engagement
The CSC urged the Zimbabwean government to re-engage with farmers and honour its constitutional obligation to pay fair and timely compensation.
“The FCA does not represent a substantive solution,” the statement said.
“It does not meet the Government’s constitutional obligations to settle compensation at fair value within a reasonable timeframe.”
The group also warned the international community against endorsing the FCA to support unrelated goals, such as debt restructuring.
“Pretending that compensation has been resolved when the actual numbers and values tell a different story is irresponsible,” Selby said.
The CSC says proper engagement is crucial for justice and for restoring faith in Zimbabwe’s agriculture and investment prospects.
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The post Zimbabwe’s White Farmers Say Only 1% Of Land Compensation Has Been Paid, Accuse Government Of Misleading Them appeared first on iHarare News.
