Farmer tastes own medicine
By Xolisani Ncube, Staff writer
Thursday, 09 February 2012 15:29
HARARE – A farm owner who evicted 150 families, forcing them to live along a
railway line, has been sent packing.
Samson Chauruka grabbed headlines when he pushed former farm workers out of
Bromley Farm after taking over the property from Leslie Lombard, who is now
staying at a Marondera old people’s home.
The workers, who were living miserable lives after their eviction by
Chauruka, were only rescued after the Daily News published details of their
horrific living conditions.
Chauruka only allowed the workers back after lands minister Hebert Murerwa
intervened following the Daily News reports.
Chauruka left the homeless families and their property exposed to rain and
the sun after he demolished their houses on the basis of using a Marondera
Magistrates’ Court eviction order.
He threatened the Daily News with litigation after the newspaper published
the suffering of former farm workers, who had spent close to a month in the
open.
Now it is Chauruka’s turn to pack and go after Murerwa gazetted the farm for
resettlement purposes.
According to a government gazette published last Friday, government gave
notice that it was taking over the land.
“Further take notice that the ownership of the acquired land with full title
therein vested in the state is with effect from the date of publication of
this notice in the government gazette,” reads part of the notice.
“Deed of transfer 524/96 registered in the names of Mashonaland East Tobacco
Graders (private) limited, in respect of certain pieces of land situated in
the district of Goromonzi, being subdivision H of Whiteside measuring forty
comma eight seven two six (40,8726) hectares,” reads part of the gazette.
When contacted for comment yesterday, Chauruka confirmed the development but
refused to shed more light.
“Right now I am busy sorting issues you misrepresented in your previous
articles before I deal with the matter you are talking about,” said
Chauruka.
In previous engagements with the Daily News, Chauruka indicated that he had
acquired the farm above board and accused this paper of attempting to soil
his image.
Farm workers were refusing to accept Chauruka’s eviction demand arguing that
the former white owner owed them salaries and gratuities.
They further demanded that Chauruka should afford them time to harvest their
crops, but Chauruka refused.
It was not clear by yesterday what plans the government had for the farm
following the acquisition notice.