Police Thump War Veterans
Masvingo, February 12, 2012 – Armed riot police gave veterans of the
liberation war a comprehensive thumping this week after they had pushed
their luck a step ahead by trying to invade farms owned by black Zimbabweans
along Masvingo-Mutare highway.
Self-styled war veteran Francis Zimuto popularly known as Black Jesus had
earlier last week influenced fellow comrades to look for all unproductive
farms in Masvingo and occupy them.
Popular bus operator and prominent business man Tanda Tavaruva of the Mhunga
Bus Services whose farm is situated about 60 kilometers east of Masvingo
city became the first victim.
Other farm owners around Chidza area who included another popular business
man Mr Ganyani also fell victim of the marauding war veterans.
They tried to talk to the war veterans but they refused to leave the farms
arguing that most Black people who own commercial farms are being used as
façade men by White Commercial farmers.
However, the war veterans’ joy of acquiring yet some pieces of land did not
live long as the police deployed armed riot police to beat them up.
By Saturday afternoon, all war veterans were finally driven out of farms.
Masvingo War Veterans chairman Isaiah Muzenda distanced himself from the
dubious invasions saying the police did a ‘very good job’ by beating errant
war veterans.
“Those guys are greedy and too ambitious. We thank the police for their
timely intervention. Our name as war veterans is being put in disrepute by
some greedy elements among us. I was personally against that idea and we are
relived that at least they were finally driven out,” said Muzenda.
Masvingo provincial spokesperson Inspector Tinaye Matake confirmed the
incident but refused to go into details.
“There was a misunderstanding between some farmers and war veterans, we have
intervened and everything is now in order,” said Matake.
Black Jesus who was in the fore front of several farm invasions in Masvingo
since 2000 could not be reached for comment.