Fresh wave of farm invasions
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/
Written by Zwanai Sithole
Tuesday, 17 May 2011 15:54
BULAWAYO – The Zanu (PF) politburo’s recent decision to defy Sadc and push
for an early poll has ignited a fresh wave of harassment of the few
remaining white commercial farmers still on their land.
According to the Southern African Commercial Farmers Alliance (SACFA) Zanu
(PF) supporters and war veterans have been moving from one farm to another
in Mashonaland and the Midlands provinces intimidating and harassing farmers
who are still in their homesteads operating on fractions of their
properties.
“Two elderly farmers were forcibly driven from their homes in Somabhula
recently by Zanu (PF) members of parliament. In both instances no use was
made of the courts by government to evict the farmers. Instead police stood
idly by and allowed the violent expulsions to be carried out by MPs
themselves and their thugs,” said Christopher Jarrett, Zimbabwe SACFA
chairman.
Jarrett also cited the recent case of a High Court judge whom he said tried
to extort a homestead, livestock and the remaining portion of a farm that
was still held by its owner.
He said some owners, who have formally remained in place as A2 settlers
having been allocated portions of their own properties, had not been spared
the harassment and abuse.
“Some farmers made agreements with the government to stay on their
properties. These arrangements were confirmed by orders of the
Administrative Court to the effect that they could remain on a particular
part of their farm on condition that they parted with the rest of their
property. All of these undertakings by government are now not being honoured
and farmers are charged under the Gazetted Lands (Consequential Provisions)
Act for occupying state land without an offer letter, permit or lease,” said
Jarret.