’British’ national invades Centenary farm

BY RICHARD CHIDZA

Sylvester Nyatsuro, who runs a medical centre in Nottingham, and his wife are reported to have invaded the farm recently.

Commercial Farmers’ Union (CFU) director Hendriek Olivier yesterday confirmed that Nyatsuro had invaded Kingston Deveril Farm. “He (Nyatsuro) was a Zimbabwean citizen and it appears he acquired British citizenship, but I would not want to go into the details of how he got that,” Olivier said.

“He left his brother on the farm, who is now causing problems. They have taken part of the homestead, but Rankin is still holed up in the main house with his family waiting for the police to act on the matter,” he said.
Rankin told NewsDay in a telephone interview that at least a dozen people led by Nyatsuro’s brother were camped at his farm.

“This is not good because they are disrupting operations here. Some of my workers are still working, but others have stopped. I have a 20-hectare crop and was planning to put down another 25 hectares. I am a Zimbabwean citizen and my wife is a third generation Zimbabwean.

“I think we deserve to keep our land. In any case, I have given two farms already and half of this one and I am not going to be forced to give it to a man who holds a British passport,” Rankin said interspacing his responses with perfect Shona.

“Jambanja harishande (Violence does not help), it is not what Shona culture dictates. I am a peace-loving man and want no trouble. They are claiming connections with political heavyweights.”

Rankin said he had filed an invasion report to the police in Centenary, but they seemed reluctant to drive the invaders out.

“We have reported the matter to the police and I am waiting for their response. These invaders have changed the locks to my exit gate and now I am afraid that if I go out they will come. I may not be able to come back in again and my wife will be alone,” Rankin said.

Sources told NewsDay that Nyatsuro was in the country last month to promote his Zimbabwe Diaspora Skills Network through which Zimbabwean professionals abroad can help in the recovery of the country through skills-sharing with public and private institutions back home.