By Paidashe Mandivengerei
Government on Tuesday revealed it had paid US$53 million towards the compensation of 100 white farmers.
White farmers lost their land in the early 2000s during former President Robert Mugabe land reform programme that was characterized by land grabbing.
Thousands of white farmers had their land seized violently.
The land reform programme damaged the country’s relations with Western countries and badly affected the country’s agricultural industry.
In his budget presentation, Finance minister, Mthuli Ncube said a total of US$830 million had been set aside to compensate the aggrieved farmers.
Speaking at a post cabinet, Information minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said a total of 100 farmers had already received their compensation.
“Pertaining to relief payment to former farm owners, Treasury has since released US$53 million, and 100 former white farmers had been compensated,” she said.