Total farm nationalisation plan denied

Zimbabwe has denied its plans to nationalise all farmland in the country, saying this only applied to plots seized from whites under its controversial land reforms. Zimbabwe's Information Ministry had therefore issued a statement clarifying the policy. "It is emphasised that this position only applies to land acquired by the state under land reforms and does not in any way invalidate or supersede other lawful forms of tenure," the ministry said. "There has not been any change of government policy or law in respect of land tenure and ownership." His statement contradicted that of John Nkomo, the land reform and resettlement minister, who last week said the state would nationalise all agricultural land. (ed.)