War Vets Languish In Prison Over Land Dispute
Masvingo, November 09, 2011– 33 war veterans were yesterday arrested by
police for allegedly defying a court order to vacate Chikore farm involving
a land dispute with Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Stan Mudenge,
despite having appealed against the court order.
The war veterans are representing more than 60 families Mudenge is fighting
to evict from the farm formerly owned by whiter commercial farmer, Peter
Buchan who was evicted at the height of the chaotic land invasions of 2000.
The war veterans who are represented by Martin Mureri of Matutu, Kwirira and
Associates are allegedly unlawfully detained in custody at Masvingo remand
prison by Magistrate Dorothy Mwanyisa.
But their lawyer Mureri said the detention was unlawful and political as
Mudenge is allegedly forcing the Judiciary to detain them.
“It is surprising that my clients were arrested and detained unlawfully by
the police and the state after I had filed an appeal against judgement to
evict them long back just after the order was given. They should not be
arrested until the case is heard in the High court, this is now politics
taking centre stage,” he said.
The war veterans say they were the first to invade the farm from the Buchan,
the former owner but Mudenge was using his political muscle to push them out
and vowed to fight him to the highest court of the country.
Prosecutor Frank Chirairo told the court that the war veterans defied a
court ruling to leave the farm before 4 October this year and cited that as
the reason why they were detained in custody.
But Mureri said he has since notified the court that he had filed a notice
of appeal and should release his clients.
Some of the war veterans languishing at Masvingo remand prison include,
Peter Mbwanda, Esnath Sigauke, Emily Gandi and Eunice Moyo to mention few,
who are above the age of 70.