Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has said land reform exercise is not reversible and the process of acquiring land is an on-going one, The Sunday Mail reported.

Mugabe also said disputes over land in Zimbabwe cannot be determined by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal based in Namibia because the country has competent courts that can determine the rights of the people.

He said white farmers whose farms have been legally acquired by the government should vacate the farms instead of wasting time taking the matter to the tribunal.

Speaking during the 21st February Movement celebrations held in the western city of Chinhoyi to celebrate his 85th birthday, Mugabe described the move by some white farmers to take the matter to the tribunal as "nonsensical".

The president said the land reform exercise is not reversible, adding that the process of acquiring land is an on-going one.

He said those given the land should use it productively.

"Again, I want to say, the farmers who owned these farms, which now have been designated and have been offered to new land owners in accordance with our land acquisition law, must respect that law. They must vacate those farms," he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Herbert Murerwa has dismissed reports that there are fresh farm invasions and has reiterated the government's commitment to an orderly resettlement process, according to the reports by The Sunday Mail.

Murerwa said those who are yet to take up their farms after receiving land offer letters should wait for the current occupiers to harvest this season's crop before moving in.

Murerwa said when moving in, the new farmers are supposed to be accompanied by officials from the relevant Government departments to ensure a smooth handover-takeover process.

Murerwa said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the ministry has not received any reports of fresh farm invasions.

He said that if there are any invasions in the country, they would gather the necessary facts before resolving the issues.

Source:Xinhua