Destitute Former Zim White Commercial Farmers Turn To The British For Help
13/05/2011 17:06:00
Bulawayo, May 13 2011 – The Commercial Farmers’ Union (CFU) has
re-approached the British to assist its members who are reportedly destitute
following the 2000 infamous land invasions.
CFU President, Deon Theron said: “Most former commercial farmers have fallen
on very hard times. Recently a former commercial farmer stormed into my
office and threatened to shoot himself and her wife because life had become
unbearable for him and his wife. This incident among others prompted us to
engage the British government since they are an important player in Zimbabwe’s
land question.”
He said his organisation is currently assisting more than 50 former
commercial farmers a month with boxes of groceries sourced from church
organisations in South Africa.
Theron was addressing the union‘s meeting held in Bulawayo on Friday. He
described the level of poverty among the former farmers, particularly those
above the age of 60 years, as alarming.
Theron said the CFU leadership was recently in UK where they met various
influential people including Britain’s African minister Henry Bellingham and
discussed the plight of the former commercial farmers.
“Some of the people and organisations whom we met in the UK were very
helpful and these are Roy Bennett and National Farmers Union of UK
officials. A lot of organisations are willing to help. We are opening our
doors to both the British and Zimbabwe governments on this issue. The
farmers should either be given their compensation or their land back. They
cannot continue to suffer when they have made immense contribution to the
nation,” he said.
Bennett, the Movement for Democratic Change treasurer (MDC-T) general, fled
Zimbabwe citing persecution. He is now assisting his party led by Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to raise funds and with various lobby work in
Europe.