MP still refusing to leave invaded farm
By Alex Bell
01 September 2010
An MP in Somabhula who has snubbed a number of court orders telling him to
leave the farm he has invaded, has this week ignored another eviction
notice.
Philip and Ellen Hapelt from Grasslands Farm had to get a second eviction
order on Monday, after MP Jabulani Mangena refused to leave the property
last week. On Tuesday, Ellen Hapelt tried to convince the Gweru police to
uphold the court order protecting her and her husband on their farm, but to
no avail. The police have repeatedly refused to support the Hapelts,
expressing their own fears of Mangena.
While Ellen was unsuccessfully trying to get the police to carry out the
court ordered eviction, Mangena’s manager and his workers tried to assault
Philip. The couple’s daughter Lauren told SW Radio Africa that the situation
was very tense, but “my dad’s workers managed to intervene and stop Mangena’s
workers from attacking him.” Lauren explained that her mom insisted on a
police escort back to the farm, which she described as “a small victory
because it’s the first time we’ve been able to get the police out there.”
Mangena has led a campaign of harassment, vandalism and violence against the
Hapelts and their workers, claiming he has an offer letter entitling him to
the property. Late last year, the Hapelts were brutally beaten by a gang of
thugs, in an attack the family believes was meant to drive them from their
farm.
The Hapelts many years ago voluntarily gave up the majority of their land
for the sake of ‘reform’, under an agreement that would allow them to remain
on their homestead with a small portion of farming land. They already have
two Court orders that entitle them to live on the farm without fear of
invasion or persecution. But Mangena is openly disregarding the courts and
has previously threatened the Hapelts with more violence if they approach
the courts again.
Lauren said on Wednesday that Mangena is acting completely above the law,
saying the family’s only option will be to lay contempt of court charges
against the MP. She said there is little hope that this will do anything, as
Mangena has proved his as no regard for the courts. She said they are
“playing a wait and see game,” adding it’s unlikely her parents will be able
to keep their property.