Update on land invasion of Grasslands Farm Somabhula
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Written by Lauren Nixon
Tuesday, 24 August 2010 11:36
On Sunday 22 August 2010, my sister Debbie, her husband Russell, myself and
my husband Rob, arrived at the farm house to find my parents and their staff
in a terrible state. My mum was sobbing uncontrollably and was
inconsolable.
Mr Mangena had come to the farmhouse just before we got there. When he
realised that my parents would not come to speak to him, he accosted the
domestic worker and told him he was aware that my parents were going to try
and evict him the following day.
He advised that he had just come from President Mugabes Office and the
President told him Grasslands Farm belonged to him. He advised if any of
the staff are seen to be helping in the eviction, he would come back and
either beat or kill the staff and my parents. He also said if the herd boys
try to use the horses to round up his cattle, he would slash the legs of the
horses.
On Monday 23rd of August, with Permanent Interdict in hand, we went to see
the Gweru Sheriff of the Court as he advised he would carry out the eviction
on that day. The Sheriff openly told us that Mr Mangena had threatened his
life should he evict him. Nevertheless, he agreed to do his duty as long as
the Gweru Rural Police would send a details with him to protect him.
We went to Gweru Rural Police with the Sheriff and spoke to Inspector
Sithole. He flatly refused to help the Sheriff carry out the eviction
stating that the Permanent Interdict was addressed to the Sheriff and not to
the Police. He said this was a high profile case and he was not mandated to
interfere. He told us to go back to our lawyer.
What Mr Sithole fails to realise is that the Permanent Interdict is
confirmation of the Order issued with the temporary interdict on the 25 June
2010 and signed by Hon. Mr Justice N Mathonsi.
This Order clearly states, “The Officer In-Charge Zimbabwe Republic Police,
Gweru Rural” as the third respondent. Under “Terms of Final Order
Sought”paragraph 3, It again clearly states :
“that in the event that the appropriate officer of Court is unable to affect
the terms of this order on the fourth respondent, then the third respondent
is ordered to render all such necessary assistance to the appropriate
officer of court in executing such order.
Inspector Sithole is in contempt of Court by refusing to help the Sheriff
who is terrified of Mr Mangena. We fully understand why he would feel this
way. It is alleged that Mr Mangena was personally involved in 13 instances
of violence and intimidation during elections, accompanied by fully armed
CIO men. Having witnessed Mr Mangena’s behaviour we feel that the Sheriff
has good cause to be afraid and we most certainly belive he is capable of
carrying out his threats.