THE late traditional leader Chief Malaki Masuku of Kezi has been hailed for his efforts in blocking the late former President Robert Mugabe and his government from taking over Maleme Ranch in Matobo, saying it was a lifeline for his subjects.
His heroic antics, which forced the government to spare the piece of land, were revealed by the Masakhaneni Project Trust board chairperson Josphat Tshuma in Bulawayo on Friday, while officially launching a book titled Community Peace-Building in Matobo authored by Samukele Hadebe.
Hadebe is a renowned academic, peace advocate and leader of the opposition party Freedom Alliance.
Chief Masuku died in 2016 aged 81.
He became famous for leading his people to resist the takeover of Maleme Ranch by government in 2015.
Chief Masuku’s reign began in 1992 following the death of his father, Gareth Nzula Masuku, who had led his subjects since 1988.
Tshuma, who is also a Bulawayo prominent lawyer, described Masuku as the cornerstone for his people, saying he wrote a letter to Mugabe telling him to stop the takeover of the ranch owned by Peter Cunningham.
Cunningham is the chairperson of Ebenezer Training Centre established at the same farm that boasts the largest Pedigree Jersey cows in Zimbabwe.
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“I did a case that involved the takeover of the Maleme Ranch by the government. There was a lot of commotion. Chief Masuku wrote a letter to the President. I saw the letter,” Tshuma said.
“He wrote, ‘do not take that farm. It is important to my people. A lot of my children left to South Africa, they did menial jobs, some embarked into crime and I received them back in coffins [sic]. So this white farmer has organised my people to teach them farming and many projects. The youth now have something to do, so do not take that farm.’ That was Chief Masuku.”
Tshuma said a memorandum of understanding between the Matobo Rural District Council and the farmer was signed for the purpose of developmental projects to benefit the locals.
He said another case emerged when another claimant, Rodney Mashingaidze, wanted to take over the farm and the matter was taken to the courts.
“Speaking through his aide in the court, Chief Masuku said, ‘ask him (Mashingaidze), that will he be able to do what that white farmer does for my people when he takes over the farm’. That was Chief Masuku, a man able to stand for his people,” Tshuma said.
