91
move across the river (regardless of whether they came from the south side or not) or to find
land elsewhere. 191 Since the smallholders felt that the south side of the river was still
insecure (this area had previously been subject to attack by RENAMO), they refused to move.
Some farmers complained to local authorities, while others requested new land from the same
officials or from NGOs operating in the area. 192 Still others remained squatting, hoping that
the new owner will let them stay. Some of the smallholders who were squatting in the zone
had worked for the state farm before it closed; they felt that they should have priority over
other smallholders in the area (even though they may not have historical rights to the land).
Consequently, there was tension between groups of smallholders.
A similar case was reported by smallholders west of the Mecuze road (marked "B" on
map 13). Displaced farmers and former workers of the state farm were farming in this zone.
Farmers disclosed that a private commercial farmer had acquired the land and that they were
told to leave. Although unconfirmed by government officials, several farmers testified that
the land was acquired by a local government official. It is not clear if the official was from
the defunct state farm or the district capital. As in the case above, many smallholders
abandoned this land, others squatted and waited for the new owner to assert his rights, and
of9ficial3s.1 still others presented complaints to local government
Land access patterns in Muda were also very revealing (see map 14). The area labeled
"A" was a private farm during the colonial period. After independence, part of the farm
became a state agricultural enterprise. Smallholders squatted in the area surrounding the
larger block. In 1993 both blocks were claimed by a nonlocal private farmer. Smallholders
had not yet been expelled from the land when interviewed, though they had been told by
government officials that they might be. Some claimed that they had farmed in this area since
the colonial period.
In 1992 and early 1993, smallholders were farming in the area designated as "B." After
the war, repatriated refugees took land in this same area, but it is not clear if they were from
this area or simply were trying to acquire land in a strategic location. In July 1993,
smallholders were told by locality officials that the block had been acquired by a district (or
provincial) government official and that they had to leave. 194 This affected several hundred
people and led to a public protest. Farmers complained to locality officials, who in turn
claimed that they knew nothing about the concession. 195 Officials claimed that they were not
consulted and were frustrated by concessions being granted without their approval or
knowledge. 196 In July 1993, locality officials were attempting to secure temporary rights
191. Interviews with smallholder farmers in Lamego and Muda, July 1993. This was confirmed by local
agricultural rural extension agents in Muda, July 1993.
192. Ibid.
193. Interviews with smallholder farmers in Lamego and Muda, July 1993.
194. Ibid.
195. Ibid.
196. District Agricultural Officer, personal communications, July 1993; locality administrator, personal
communications, July 1993; and agricultural extension agent, personal communications, July 1993.