War vet and white farmer behind Chiredzi ranch invasions
By Tererai Karimakwenda
11 January, 2012
A white farmer named Ken Drummond is reported to have teamed up with war vet
Francis Zimuto, who calls himself Black Jesus, and the unlikely duo are
alleged to be intimidating the remaining white farmers in the Chiredzi and
Hippo Valley area, taking over properties illegally.
SW Radio Africa reported earlier this week that war vets had taken over
Mteri Lodge on the Hippo Valley estate and that Drummond was after the
hunting rights. We have since been informed that Zimuto was behind the
takeover and has been intimidating the owners at nearby Nhari Lodge.
The two are also alleged to be involved in similar deals at Impala Ranch and
Savuli Ranch, both in the Save Valley Conservancy. Five thugs working for
Zimuto invaded Savuli ranch four months ago and are living there, attempting
to turn the workers against the owner.
Sources in Chiredzi who chose not to be identified, said Zimuto is working
for the former ZANU-PF Minister Shuvai Mahofa. Drummond has visited Savuli
with his son Tiki, pretending it was an inspection.
“Mai Mahofa” claims to be the new owner of Savuli and has produced a copy of
a lease, according to trusted sources, who said close inspection showed that
the lease was invalid and had different dates on the pages.
Zimbabwe’s wild life conservancies have been under constant threat for ten
years and there appears to be a concerted effort to remove all remaining
obstacles to plundering them. Massive deforestation is taking place as all
the trees are cut down and thousands of animals continue to be snared and
slaughtered.
Deon Theron, former president of the Commercial Farmers Union, said the
conservancies were protected by law, but the absence of the rule of law
means any individual can target an area and invade with impunity.
“Although there is a unity government we all know that ZANU PF dictates what
should happen. Over the last ten years the law has been applied selectively
and those with the right connections are not prosecuted,” Theron explained.