He admitted he was already chopping down trees at Koodoo because he was preparing for the summer crop.

"I did not take up the one I was allocated at Mabubu because I had already been allocated another plot at Koodoo which I am now preparing for the summer crop," Bvudzijena told the Financial Gazette.

Several ministers in Mugabe’s Cabinet including Samuel Mumbengegwi, Sydney Sekeramayi, Herbert Murerwa, Swithun Mombeshora, Elliot Manyika and Nicholas Goche have also been accorded priority in the allocation of the new farms.

Security Minister Goche is listed as the new owner of Ceres in Mashonaland Central; Education’s Mumbengegwi got Irvine Farm in Gutu; Mombeshora (Ormeston, Lions’ Den); Sekeramayi (Maganga Estate, Marondera); Murerwa (Rise Holm, Arcturus) and Manyika (Duiker Flats in Mashonaland Central).

Among those who have benefited from the fast-track exercise criticised internationally for lack of transparency is television broadcaster Supa Mandiwanzira, ZBC’s Admire Taderera and scores of former ZANU PF legislators, senior army officers, ministers’ wives and their relatives, permanent secretaries, diplomats and business people sympathetic to ZANU PF.