Apostolic sect members grab over 100 cattle
By Chengetai Zvauya, Staff Writer
Sunday, 29 May 2011 15:53
HARARE – Members of the Johanne Marange apostolic sect who have invaded one
of the country’s biggest dairy farms have forcibly grabbed over 100 cattle
belonging to the farm’s owner, Francis Kotze.
A Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) official told the Daily News yesterday that
the apostolic sect members, reinforced by Zanu PF youths, had disrupted
operations at Spillemeer Farm in Chipinge.
The official said the apostolic faith members ordered Kotze to remove a
drove of pigs claiming the presence of the animals ran contrary to their
religious beliefs. They however, demanded that he slaughter several sheep to
feed them. They declared the cattle as theirs, the CFU official said. They
are now milking the cattle themselves.
“The invaders have also looted his property and are demanding him to
slaughter sheep for their meat. His workers are also being threatened with
violence as they are supporting Kotze,” said the CFU.
Police, the CFU said, had refused to intervene, claiming the matter was
political.
The apostolic faith members, donning their famous white robes, invaded
Spillemeer farm on Tuesday. They claimed to have an offer letter from
government granting them ownership of the farm.
Kotze was one of the few whites remaining in the farming business following
the violent takeover of farms under the land reform programme that began in
2000.