Forced labour on farms owned by ZANU PF chefs
By Tichaona Sibanda
21 October 2011
Farmers in Mutare South constituency are allegedly forcing dozens of
workers, who include MDC-T supporters, to work against their will, an
official in the party said.
The practice came to light last week Friday when six homes belonging to
workers at Chigodora farm in Mutare South were set ablaze by the farm owner.
The workers, well known MDC-T activists, refused to be pushed into forced
labour by the farmer, George Mureremba, a beneficiary of ZANU PF’s
controversial land grab policy.
Robert Saunyama, the MDC-T district chairman, told SW Radio Africa on Friday
that Mureremba was enraged when his orders were not complied with.
‘The workers told us Mureremba ordered them to work on the farm against
their will and for nothing, because he was punishing them for supporting
Morgan Tsvangirai,’ Saunyama said.
When it was evident the workers would not budge Mureremba, with the help of
others, went on a ‘frenzied attack’ beating up people, torching homes and
destroying property. Six houses were burnt down in the disturbances. One of
the farm workers sustained a broken hand.
A report was lodged with the police but no arrests have been made, though
Saunyama remained adamant he will pursue the issue.
‘We’ve received reports that farmers in Mutare South were forcing workers to
work against their will. Those that refused were being sent packing. But the
situation at Chigodora farm was different.
‘When the former white occupant fled the farm, it was sub-divided into
several plots, benefitting most of the farm workers. After a while Chigodora
came and took over the farm house and tried to force resettled farmers off
the property,’ Saunyama added.
Since the constituency is under ZANU PF, most workers were threatened with
punishment if they complained about working conditions or refused to take
orders.
‘These so-called beneficiaries of the land reform program could be breaking
anti-slavery laws. There is a lot of abuse going on in the farms and we need
that to be investigated,’ Saunyama said.