CFU warns of ‘disaster’ as farm invasions intensify
By Alex Bell
04 November 2011
The President of Zimbabwe’s Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) on Friday warned
that the country was heading for ‘disaster’, with farm invasions
intensifying across the country.
CFU head Charles Taffs told SW Radio Africa that the situation is extremely
serious, describing a “definite spike in invasions with orders coming from
high up in the government.”
Currently, a South African national who leases a Belgian owned tobacco farm
near Mazowe, is fighting to get the Zim government to intervene, after he
was evicted by land invaders this week. The farm, Taveydale, is one of the
biggest tobacco producers left in the country. The South African farmer is
also meant to be protected under a bilateral investment agreement between
Zimbabwe and his country.
Taffs also explained how a couple in Mashonaland West were forced to flee
their farmhouse after a group of about 40 land invaders broke into the
property on Thursday.
“Things are really intensifying and there is no effort to intervene. I have
spoken to the MDC side of government, but there has been response,” Taffs
said.
He added: “We seem to be a lost sector, and all the concern and focus is on
mining. But the thing is, primary agriculture has to be restored, because
without agriculture, Zimbabwe has no chance. And we are heading for a
disaster if this carries on.”
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Independent is reporting this week that a ZANU PF
official from the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) was
behind the invasion of a German owned farm recently. The farm, owned by the
Von Pezold family, has faced repeated threat of seizure despite an
investment protection agreement (BIPPA) between Germany and Zimbabwe.
According to the Zim Independent, ZANU PF’s JOMIC representative Kizito
Kuchekwa is behind the most recent invasion of the Von Pezold’s tobacco
farm.
The CFU’s Taffs said that the situation has returned to normal, saying
“Germany is very strong on their BIPPAs being enforced, so I am sure they
got involved.”
The Von Pezold family last year took the Zimbabwe government to an
international court over the repeated invasions on their properties across
the country. That matter is still pending before the International Centre
for the Settlement of Investment Disputes.