Chiredzi land seizure case postponed
By Tererai Karimakwenda
18 January, 2012
The Chiredzi land seizure case involving white farmers accused of “illegally
occupying State Land without a permit” was postponed for a period of two
months this week, after the magistrate failed to turn up on Monday.
The farmers’ properties in Zimbabwe were confiscated illegally by the
government, as part of the so-called land redistribution programme. But it
is actually top officials in the Mugabe regime who are grabbing prime land,
using violence and intimidation.
After losing all their land and agricultural equipment without compensation,
the farmers refused to vacate their houses on the farms and are now facing
charges of “illegal occupation”.
The group facing charges includes South African Peter Henning, Mauritian
nationals Benoit Lagesse and Benoit Fayd’herbe and Swiss national Theresa
Warth. Zimbabwean Robert Style is also accused of refusing to leave his
property.
Foreign nationals are supposed to be protected by bilateral property
agreements signed by Zimbabwe. But this was ignored. Zim authorities also
dismissed a ruling by the regional human rights tribunal in Namibia, which
said Zimbabwe’s land redistribution was racially discriminatory and
constitutionally illegal.
Meanwhile ZANU-PF chefs continue to harass the remaining white, commercial
farmers in a campaign to grab the last few properties in the country.
Lawless mobs are reported to be intimidating farmers and their families in
Masvingo, the Chiredzi lowveld area and Manicaland.
The coalition government has unfortunately done nothing to stop the illegal
invasions and bring back the rule of law and of course ZANU-PF supporters
still operate with impunity.