Press Statement 21st August 2014
PRESS STATEMENT
It is with deep concern that we note and condemn the serious assault of a young farmer and his wife at a game farm in the Zvimba district on the night of 19th August 2014. The incident follows on from an increase in poisoning and poaching of wildlife in the area and the slaughter of a giraffe on Sunday and demonstrates the continued insecurity that farmers, their families and business operations face in the challenged commercial farming sector. It further fuels the negative impact that such incidents have on Zimbabwe’s international image.
The Commercial Farmers’ Union and its members stand ready to assist wherever needed in this difficult time and offer their most sincere support and prayers for the family and wish both the farmer, who suffered a serious head injury, and his wife who sustained broken bones and a damaged arm, a full recovery from this savage attack.
We call on the authorities to do all possible to speedily apprehend those responsible for this crime and further encourage the our country’s leadership to encourage restoration of an environment of peace, security and prosperity where all citizens can look to the institutions of law and order and the police in particular with the anticipation that they will fulfil their obligations to the public in accordance with all the noble values enshrined in their charter.
We make this call cognisant of other recent attacks and the many other murders and atrocities committed over the last 14 years during the land reform exercise that are yet to be resolved or result in perpetrators being held accountable. A determined and impartial application of justice will do much to restore confidence in not only the Agricultural sector but also in the full process of national recovery and reconciliation. The Union and its members stand ready to play their part in this process which we call on all to embrace.
Charles Taffs
President
Commercial Farmers’ Union
Commercial Farmers Union of Zimbabwe
42 Bates Street,
Milton Park
Harare
Tel:+ 263 4 790264/274 792757 790277
Email: [email protected]