More than 60 peasant farmers smell corruption in the Office of the District Public Prosecutor
of the Republic of Mozambique in Báruè – Manica Province
By: John Chekwa
10 de Setembro de 2012
Chairman of the Association of Peasant Farmers, Patrique Cassequete
“Why is it that our docket N° 263/12 is stuck in the
office of district attorney or public prosecutor, Henriques Ibraimo"
questioned the spokesperson and president of the association of peasant
farmers, "Tariro yeMurimi" in Báruè District of Manica Province in
Mozambique..
In Novemberr 2011, more than 60 farmers received without any contract two and half toners (2.5t)
of maize seed distributed by the company Seed Nzara Yapera of Peter
Waziweyi also government partner on loan
bases costing a total amount of 95.000
Mt (Ninety-five thousand meticais) equivalent to 3310,00 USD ,
Unfortunately this maize seed completely
failed to germinate several attempts. Consequently, the farmers invited Mr
Peter Waziweyi to see this situation but all the calls resulted in failure. As
a way forward the peasants famers also informed the District Office of Economic
Activities or District Agricultural Office (SDAE) where the agronomy João Arone
tested 100 of this seed. As a result the 100 tested only germinated 30 seeds
which correspond to 30%.
The seed company Nzara Yapera was not satisfied with this result he therefore
took another seed from his warehoused to agriculture provincial
laboratory.
This new seed germinated
in the laboratory 93% . Peter Waziweyi, he therefore raised a criminal case
against the 60 peasant farmers and Local Community Radio Catandica accusing them
for deformation of character of being denounced such news.
Both the farmers and the radio were called several times by the Investing
Police Officers (PIC) for hearing and a criminal docket was opened. . The PIC after hearing all the parties involved they submitted the case to
the District Attorney or the public
prosecutor of the Republic of Mozambique’ s office.
In a conversation with journalists the public prosecutor, Ibrahimo
Henriques ruled that in this case the peasants famers and radio have no proof
that the seeds did not germinate.
On August 22nd of 2012, the peasant’s farmers received another notification
from the District Attorney's Office to be heard again by him on September 14,
2012.
The group of peasant farmers suspects and smells corruption and assures that
justice in Báruè District in Manica province is still far away to the poor
citizen. The Chairman of the Association
of peasant farmers, Patrique Cassequete, also said that, the Police Criminal Investigation Officers in the
Báruè District has done a beautiful work
and that is why the public prosecutor is delaying with the docket so that his customer
– the seed company wins the case Henriques Ibraimo does not want to hand the case to
magistrate’s court. This is very well
visible, he added.
Hardly, the peasant farmers are currently facing great problems of hunger
caused by Seed Company Nzara Yapera, time spent, resources lost in preparing
fields and infinitive threats through notifications that has no bases. Also
they are currently forced to do temporary jobs that are food for work
activities to support their families.
Note that in Báruè district the criminal case which involves Government
officials and the rich has never been solved they actual dissolve in public
prosecutor’s office. As a result this is always affecting the innocent and the
poor citizen.
In an interview the Public Prosecutor Henriques Ibraimo refused to
comment about the current situation of this case defending that he need
permission from the province.
