"The Zimbabwe Situation" news page

Zimbabwe Court Finds Irregularities in Voting; Paper Reports
Bloomberg News - Jul 26 2000 6:48AM
Harare, Zimbabwe, July 26 (Bloomberg) -- A Zimbabwean court has found that votes counted for the Mazowe East constituency, won by a candidate of the ruling Zanu PF party in last month's parliamentary elections, included votes cast by dead people and people who had also voted in a neighboring constituency, reported The Daily News newspaper, citing the court. A defeated opposition candidate, Shepherd Mushonga of the Movement for Democratic Change, said he will ask the court to nullify the result and ask for a byelection. The MDC yesterday questioned three other Zanu victories and has said it may challenge the results in as many as 29 of the constituencies it lost.
The MDC won 57 of the 120 seats in the election, posing the strongest challenge to Zanu since it took power in 1980.
(The Daily News, 7/26/2000)
Zimbabwe: battered farmer recounts attack by war veterans
HARARE, July 26 (AFP) -
White farmer David Brand had no idea what was in store for him when he decided to shut down operations to protest lawlessness in his community in northern Zimbabwe.
Now, recovering in a Harare hospital after being beaten unconscious by dozens of marauding war veterans, he is licking his wounds but says he and his colleagues will not be cowed by threats of further reprisals.
Leading such threats is the local police chief himself, who said he was prepared to go to war against the Karoi farming community after they tried to petition police in the district to restore law and order and staged a protest shutdown, a neighbour of Brand's said Tuesday.
"He said, 'I'll give you a war. My troops are on stand-by'," Karoi farmer Chris Shepherd said in a telephone interview.
Brand's farm is among more than 1,600 white-owned commercial farms that have been occupied -- often violently -- by war veterans and their supporters since February to protest unequal land distribution between whites and blacks.
Many of the invaders are too young to have fought in the country's 1970s liberation war, and have been lured into the veterans' fold by the prospect of free meals and maybe even free land.
Despite two High Court rulings that the occupations are illegal, the invaders have been allowed to stay on, and in many areas have begun issuing eviction orders and death threats or carrying out attacks such as that against Brand.
Karoi's white business community joined with the farmers to shut down operations Tuesday to protest against police inaction and to force the resignation of the local police chief, whom farmers describe as a war veteran himself.
Brand was beaten up by a group of at least 40 war veterans apparently in reprisal for the protest action.
"It was because we had stopped work for the day," Brand said, his face severely battered.
Brand told AFP he had been lured outside his security fence by his assailants early Tuesday on false pretences.
"I wasn't expecting any violence. I've been talking to these people for ages," he said. "They said they were leaving the farm. When I was out there, more and more joined the group."
Brand began retreating behind his security fence. "That's when one of them jumped on me." After he was whipped with a fan belt and beaten to the ground with sticks, "they just continued beating me," he said.
Friends in the farming community managed to evacuate Brand to hospital and his family to safety as the war veterans surrounded their home.
Despite the attack, Brand felt farmers in his district would not be intimidated by the threat of similar reprisals.
"It will make farmers stronger, to get law and order restored in the district and country," he said, his voice barely audible as he struggled to speak.
A visibly shaken Heather Brand, David's niece, said her family did not deserve such brutal treatment. "I love this country so much and they (war veterans) are just driving us away."
Farmers association chairman Gary Hobbs said the district's 180 white farmers and many white-owned businesses in the town of Karoi would not be cowed by the threats.
"The area is still shut down because our requirements haven't been met," he said. Among their demands is the removal of the police chief and other senior police officials responsible for fomenting lawlessness. "We need law and order back in the area and that's not going to happen until certain individuals at the top have been removed."
Jane O'Donoghue, who fled her farm with her husband and three young children on Monday via a back road, said the racial hatred in the district was palpable.
"The level of racial abuse is quite indescribable. It's a venemous loathing -- the essence of hatred."
Her husband Finn O'Donoghue said one of the district's two top police officials had been to his farm on two occasions since he had been driven away Monday.
"He's told my workers my farm doesn't belong to me anymore."
Zimbabwe farmers take action
BBC: Wednesday, 26 July, 2000, 10:53 GMT 11:53 UK

Commercial farmers in Zimbabwe have launched a court action and petitioned President Robert Mugabe to end the illegal occupation of hundreds of white-owned farms.
Tensions on the farms have been rising since last months elections with farmers reporting a resurgence of invasions.
President Mugabe has not yet reacted to the request asking him to call the squatters off the farms and to meet farmers' leaders.
Government supporters are threatening to kill farmers if they do not give up their land.
In the petition, farmers' leaders warn of serious conflict throughout the country unless action is taken.
Strike
One farmer told the BBC that three-quarters of his grazing land had been burnt as a way of forcing him out.
In some areas, farmers have gone on strike, demanding police protection.
In the farming town of Karoi, in the north of the country, they have been joined by white-owned shops and industries, causing major disruption.
Agriculture dominates Zimbabwe's economy, and some farmers argue that a nationwide strike would force Mr Mugabe to call of the invasions.
It is under this pressure that farmers' leaders have petitioned the president and begun their third legal process to order him, the chief of police and the leader of the war veterans to end the occupations.
Two previous court orders have been ignored.
War veterans have repeatedly said they only take orders from Mr Mugabe, but they too are becoming increasingly frustrated and angry that, a month after the elections, they still have not been given the land they were promised.
The government has listed more than 800 farms for acquisition, but in about 600 of these cases, the present owners have launched legal appeals against the government's proposals.
White farmers currently control about 70% of the country's farmland.


Zimbabwe Farm Strike Spreads
The Associated Press - Jul 25 2000 6:03PM ET
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - At least 230 white farmers quit working and businessmen in a provincial town shut down stores Tuesday in the country's biggest action so far to protest a breakdown in law and order, farm union officials said.
Farm strikes will likely spread across the country unless the government stops violence and intimidation by illegal occupiers claiming rights to more than 1,600 white-owned farms, said Tim Henwood, head of the Commercial Farmers Union. Nationwide stoppages would bring the already suffering economy closer to a complete collapse.
President Robert Mugabe has described illegal farm occupations as a justified demonstration against unfair land ownership by the nation's 4,000 white farmers. The white farmers own about a third of the productive land, where 2 million workers and their families live.
As Tuesday's stoppage took hold in and around the town of Karoi, 125 miles northwest of Harare, the union said a local farmer was assaulted by about 50 ruling party militants and veterans of the bush war that ended white rule in 1980.
The farmer, David Brand, was hospitalized with extensive injuries, including a suspected broken jaw, after the militants beat and kicked him. Neighbors evacuated his wife and baby and an elderly couple from a nearby farm cottage, said Chris Shepherd, a union spokesman.
``It's impossible to go on like this. The government must do something before we start up again,'' Shepherd said.
Farmers who closed some businesses submitted a list of demands to police, including the removal of the district police chief in Karoi, whom they accuse of fanning tensions.
Farm and civic leaders were also hiring lawyers to sue the police chief, known only as Chief Superintendent Mabunda, for allegedly assaulting a farmer's wife at the police station Tuesday.
Mabunda was unavailable for comment, officers at his police station said.
Shepherd said witnesses reported Mabunda struck the woman in the face, pushed his finger up her nose and used obscene language while she was being jostled by four other officers. Mabunda allegedly told a crowd outside that he would fight the district's whites, declaring: ``we'll give you war.''
The woman, whose family asked that she not be identified, was being treated for shock.
About 170 farms in Karoi and 60 in neighboring Tengwe district, where tobacco and corn is grown, began shutting down their operations Tuesday, Shepherd said.
The farmers union, meanwhile, filed a High Court application in Harare for a judicial order to force police, war veterans' leaders and Mugabe to act against law breakers on farms.
The government has ignored two previous High Court orders.
The work stoppage came a day after a sixth member of Zimbabwe's embattled white farming community was found beaten to death south of Harare following an apparent robbery attempt. Neighbors blamed the killing on an upsurge in crime triggered by illegal farms occupations in their district.
Authorities have made no arrests in the killings of the six farmers, Henwood said. The first was committed in March.


Zimbabwe Government Raises Fuel Prices, Risks Riots, DPA Says
Bloomberg News - Jul 26 2000 6:13AM
Harare, Zimbabwe, July 26 (Bloomberg) -- Zimbabwe has more than doubled the price of paraffin, the main fuel used for cooking in the country's towns, and raised the prices of motor fuel, risking civil unrest, said Deutsche Presse-Agentur, citing the state-oil company and unnamed observers. Paraffin was raised 128 percent to 15.01 Zimbabwe dollars a liter ($0.39), while the price of diesel rose 20 percent to 23.57 Zimbabwe dollars a liter and gasoline increased 26 percent to 27.46 Zimbabwe dollars a liter. The National Oil Company of Zimbabwe has been selling fuel for 40 percent below the price charged to it by suppliers, said Agence France-Presse.
In 1998 riots in Zimbabwean towns forced the government to rescind fuel price increases.
(DPA 7/26/2000, AFP 7/26/00)


South Africa Initiating Talks With Zimbabwe to Solve Crisis
Bloomberg News - Jul 26 2000 12:01PM
Pretoria, South Africa, July 26 (Bloomberg) -- South Africa, Africa's biggest economy, said it's initiating talks with Zimbabwe to help resolve it's neighbor's economic crisis and may ask donor organizations to restore aid to the country.
South Africa's finance minister, Trevor Manuel, and Minister of Trade and Industry, Alec Erwin will hold talks with their Zimbabwean counterparts immediately, said Joel Netshitenzhe, a government spokesman. Other South African ministers will have similar talks after a meeting of the Southern African Development Community ends on August 7.
``Where possible there could be assistance from the South African government,'' Netshitenzhe said, at a news conference. ``In some instances there might be intervention by South Africa in regard to multilateral institutions like the IMF (International Monetary Fund).''
Zimbabwe is in the midst of its worst economic crisis in more than 20 years with fuel shortages for the past eight months, inflation near a record and foreign currency reserves sufficient for only three weeks of imports, according to The Daily News newspaper. The IMF and other international donor organizations have suspended aid because of excessive government spending.
Other South African ministers expected to talk to their Zimbabwean counterparts include minerals and energy minister, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, foreign affairs minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and agriculture minister, Thoko Didiza.
``Issues pertaining to energy and fuel in particular and questions of foreign currency will be addressed,'' said Netshitenzhe, adding that South African companies could also aid Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe held parliamentary elections last month, which though judged not free and fair by a European Union observer team, saw the strongest ever showing by an opposition party, with the Movement for Democratic Change winning 57 out of 120 seats.
The new cabinet is made up entirely of members of the ruling Zanu PF party with Simba Makoni, former secretary general of SADC, appointed as the new finance minister.


COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION - FARM INVASIONS UPDATE: WEDNESDAY 26 JULY 2000


REGIONAL REPORTS

MASHONALAND CENTRAL
Centenary - There was a land prep stoppage on Chidikamwedzi Farm, which was resolved after the owner met with the Centenary Member-in-Charge and senior war vets. The MIC and senior war vets will be visiting other farms to tell war vets to allow farmers to continue working in all areas. 
The owner of Whistlefield Farm has received a death threat by war vets via his labour. All quite at Ashford/Chigoma E but things are still tense.
Victory Block - The owner of Msitwe River Ranch was forced yesterday by war vet Kanvachepi and nine others to sign over his farm.  He was unable to seek assistance as he feared for his safety.  The same group left for Matendamambo for the same purpose. They were meet by the owner and 12 other farmers.  The farmers were accused of being harsh and uncooperative, as they remained silent through out the meeting with the war vets. The war vets stopped all vehicles leaving Matendamambo to search for weapons, but discontinued when they heard the police would be alerted. ZRP arrived during the night, saying they would return the next day but had not arrived by 12 p.m. today.
Mvurwi - War vet leaders have been seen, but there have been no confrontations. Pegging continues on Chidziwa/Waddon Chase and Norver.  Vigila and Petra were visited.
Tsatsi - The whole of Cranham was pegged by a group of 100 led by Thomas Majuru.  The owner of Dorking Farm has been warned to expect an escalation in numbers from Harare who will force him off the farm. Irrigated land was pegged on Zanadu Farm this morning.
Glendale -  A large number of war vets were seen outside the Glendale Hardware Shop this morning. Fifty war vets started pegging on Avonduur Farm and then moved onto Seddies.
Mutepatepa - War vets attempted to stop work at Butleigh Farm, and left after they were unsuccessful. Poachers who had been arrested on Azikara Farm retaliated by abducting the guard. Police resolved the matter this morning and the guard was unharmed.
Mazowe/Concession - Pegging continues on Makalanga Farm. The owners of Espespark and Trianda have been advised their farms will be taken over. War vets told the manager of Mazowe Ranch that they will be subdividing the farm and want to meet the owner by Saturday.  War vet Simbarashe Makoni visited Collingwood yesterday with a three-day plan of two days of intimidation, and eviction on the third day. Warmingham has been pegged. Found in the possession of a war vet's home in Chitungwiza were spanners, grain and barbed wire stolen from Dunbury Park Farm.
Shamva - A maize guard on Chitwaridza was assaulted for making MDC gestures.  Police have not yet reacted.
Harare West/Nyabira - Pegging is ongoing in the area. War vets have demanded accommodation from the owner of RB Ranches. Mayfield Farm is quite but tense.

MASHONALAND EAST
Marondera North - There was a tense situation on Rupture when a group of aggressive occupiers wanted to move into the house. The farmer locked himself in the house and the situation was defused. Chapunga and Dormavale have had work stoppages today.
Marondera South - On Monora about 20 shacks have been erected and a number of trees have been cut. One of the houses is thatched and the occupiers are not allowing the collecting of grass. On Greendown invaders have cleared a patch have resumed building after not having not been there for 6 weeks. They are leaving gates open and cattle are running free. There is one resident on Pressmenan.
Harare South - War vets have stopped the ploughing on Stoneridge and stolen the tractor from the workshop. A police detail attended the scene but did nothing. War vet Mahiya is dealing with the situation and Stoneridge has now shut down. Presgrave and Durham were pegged extensively yesterday under the leadership of Muradzikwa. Stirling and Kerry were pegged by war vet Maxwell. He has since been arrested. On Dunottar women from Chitungwisa threatened workers and tractor drivers working in the pegged lands. On Aldington and Zengeya, war vet Felix Njerama is leading a permanent structure building program. Gum trees are being cut and he is collecting money from surrounding farms for pegging.
At a district meeting held it was decided that a firm date be set to take nationwide action. Harare South Farmer's Association will support a national shutdown in order to avert the further loss of life and property.  The district's agreed deadline for either a national or local shutdown is the 2 August 2000.
Wedza - The work stoppage on Rapako continues. Farm labour are restless and want to return to work. Dispol have still not sent out police from Marondera to defuse the situation. Game and cattle fences continue to be sabotaged and tree cutting, hut building and brick making continue. The sable and tessebee  bulls are still missing. Shaka was visited by war vet Chigwadere and others. They advised the labour that the farm was closed and to leave immediately. The labour chased them off amidst their promises to return today. The Plymtree and Laural farm supervisors were told that repegging will be taking place on the weekend.
Macheke/Virginia - The Farmers Association has reluctantly decided to cease farming operations  with effect from Thursday 27th July, 2000, until further notice. The owner of Riverlea has been given 5 days to vacate his farm.
Bromley/Ruwa - There is a new presence on Whiteside farm.
Domboshawa - The owner of Balkesa was given a death threat and told to vacate in 4 days. He has been told that 400 occupiers will arrive at his farm on Saturday.

MASHONALAND WEST NORTH
Karoi and Tengwe - Both districts shut down farming operations today and Karoi town has closed down in sympathy with the farmers. Karoi will open for business tomorrow (Thursday 27 July).
Lions Den - War vets, led by "Jesus", gathered one farmer's labour for a meeting last night to tell them they would start pegging today.  They set up camp at the gravesite.  Support Unit was sent in to speak to them, and the war vets left.  This morning 10-15 war vets returned to the workshops carrying a Zanu (PF) flag. The owner told them they had set up camp at the gravesite.  They left to do their pegging.  This was reported to the Murereka Police. 
All other areas - quiet.
 
MASHONALAND WEST SOUTH
Norton - There are about 50 new invaders, led by Lovejoy, on Tilford Farm. They have told the owner to remove his cattle by tomorrow and demanded to use his tractors to carry out their land prep. On Bryn Lovejoy has organised pegging with 20 of his people.  They are charging workers $10.00 each to peg.  On Lone Pine war veterans set fire to a pasture in retribution for the owner reporting maize thieves to the Police
Selous - There is much movement around the area, and extensive tree cutting.  Police have said that they will arrest people for tree cutting.  On one farm some empty shelters were destroyed with a police presence. 
Chakari - The guard on Newbiggin Farm was threatened. Tree cutting continues. Most of these occupiers come from Midlands and Kadoma war vets want to "sort them out".
Chegutu - On Borden labourers have been evicted from their farm village.  The owner of Farnham Farm has been told to vacate in three days.  There are now 33 war vets' houses on Riverside Farm war veteran houses.
Kadoma - There as a new invasion on Sabonabon Farm and the foreman was threatened. There are increased numbers and activity in the district.

MASVINGO
Masvingo East and Central - The owner of Springfields Farm reports an unconfirmed number of cattle missing. Gates are continually being left open and the cattle are wandering around. Numbers have escalated on  Chidza Farm, and they are awaiting their leaders. Some are cutting trees and putting up shelters.  Shallock Park is still occupied and permanent shacks have been erected.
Chiredzi - The owner of Fairange Estate has met has with MP Chauke. Numbers have reduced from 300 to 40 people. There are 22 camps reported to be on this property. The northern boundaries of Chipimbi Ranch have been occupied and demands for 80ha plots each are being made. There is tree cutting and continued pegging taking place on this ranch at present. The crowd of people at Malilangwe Ranch have accused management of bribing MP Chauke to remove them from the property, which is untrue.
Mwenezi - Tree cutting, pegging and threats of veld fires continue.
Save Conservancy - On Angus Ranch on Sunday, game scouts were ambushing a snareline and were approached by 4 poachers wielding axes and cane knives. The two scouts were forced to retreat. One of the poachers was "Makaye" - a relative of "Farirayi Makaye" who is in charge of the war veterans from Matsai. To date there has been no Police response. An impala was found in a snare on this ranch.
There is a massive increase in poaching on Mukazi Ranch and assistance from the ZRP anti-poaching unit has been requested.
On Mukwasi Ranch, trees are being cut, land cleared and all the paddocks have people in them. The black rhino that the scouts were following is still in the area, but reported to be very unsettled and moving a lot. Scouts were unable to get a visual.
2 elephants escaped from the Conservancy on Mapari Ranch and have been hassling the villagers in the Mutema Communal Area.
This is a result of the fences being cut continuously, thus the animal cannot be kept within the confines of the Conservancy.
The owner of Angus Ranch met with occupiers who told him that "Farirayi Makaye" said they could settle on the ranch.
Sango Ranch had a group come in on the western side on Friday. Numbers have dwindled back down to 8 on this side. Yesterday Sango East had five come in, wanting to claim land.  ZRP Support Unit has been assisting Sango with anti-poaching through the Bikita Police. Fires have been started by occupiers on Impala Ranch yesterday.
2 people from National Parks came into the Conservancy yesterday afternoon and there is a meeting scheduled for today.
Gutu/Chatsworth - There is continual tree-cutting, pegging and building going on.
 
MANICALAND
Quiet.

MATABELELAND
Figtree - 20 occupied Woolendale Farm yesterday. They are clearing lands and building. Police have told the owner that there is nothing they can do unless instructed by the President.

MIDLANDS
Somabhula - Poaching on Woodend Ranch is rife, with the game fence being cut in several places. Safari operations have been drastically affected as the wildlife is seriously disturbed.
Hunters Road - 10 occupiers have returned to Bon Accord Farm and are pegging.
Kwekwe - On Monday night a pungwe was held on Bemthree Ranch. At 12.30 p.m. a puma arrived with camouflage personnel and deposited 19 civilians, some of whom went off into the paddocks. The vehicle left for Dunlop and Mopani Park. Yesterday about 30 war vets under the command of David Matigwende, arrived with an elderly man whom they introduced as the chief. They stated they were taking over the farm and installing the chief. Today the group (now over 90) set up camp about 4km from the homestead, stating they will cut minimum trees for shelter and not interfere with farming operations.
5-7 occupiers are on Mopani Park.  The owner of Bonwell Estate has again been refused access to his farm by war vets.  On Milsonia Farm 12 people have been arrested for stocktheft and poaching. Investigations are ongoing with ZRP.
Shurugwi - We made an icorrect report about Beacon Kop Ranch last week. For full details please contact the CFU Information Room.


MDC: Biti calls for a transparent land reform programme
The MDC Secretary for Agriculture, Mr Tendai Biti has called on the
government to give a specific and irrevocable undertaking to the landless in
this country that it will embark on a transparent land reform programme,
which takes into account the demand and supply elements of land reform.

Biti said the haphazard manner in which the land issue has been dealt with
has resulted in the current chaos on commercial farms. Some white farmers
have been forced to shut down their farms in protest against lawlessness on
land being occupied by 'war veterans'.

"The government must move swiftly to restore the rule of law and remove land
occupiers from the farms, pending implementation of a proper process," said
Biti.

He said the tragedy with the Zanu PF proposed land reform policy is that it
is not linked to the overall and dominant issue of economic development,
macro-economic stability, agricultural sustenance and food security.

The MDC intends to acquire at least seven million hectares of land, in a
well thought out process that will take into account the skewed ownership
patterns in which the commercial white community and the black ruling elite
own the majority of the land in the commercial zones.

The key feature of an MDC land reform programme will be massive public
sector investment targeted towards the communal lands. "This public sector
investment must be funded by the state, local capital and by donor funding
from multi-lateral and bi-lateral partners."

Biti said it is also important in looking at land reform to deal with the
budget deficit, non-performing parastatals crude leakage's such as the DRC
war and general corruption.

"This will thus enable us to effect savings which can then be diverted
towards the public sector investment programme."

The MDC is proposing the setting up of a land commission composed of all
stakeholders, which will review the current situation and make proposals for
a coherent, sustainable land reform process. Land reform will also be key on
the party's legislative agenda.

Keep up the support!

Regards,

MDC Support Centre
8th Floor, Gold Bridge
Eastgate
Harare

091367151/2/3

Guqula Izenzo/Maitiro Chinja

"We call upon the government to restore law and order in the country and
immediately stop the violence being inflicted on MDC supporters and innocent
people" (Gibson Sibanda)

 

Zimbabwe townsfolk may join farm strike
By David Blair in Harare

ZIMBABWE'S opposition leader warned President Mugabe yesterday that
urban workers might join the strike of white farmers, which began a week
ago.

As the protest spread to a second region, with other areas also
considering action, Morgan Tsvangirai, president of the Movement for
Democratic Change, backed the landowners and threatened strike action in
"solidarity" with their employees.  His intervention came after another
white farmer was severely injured by squatters, when a mob of 40 set
upon him with sticks and clubs.

With 237 farmers now on strike, Tim Henwood, the president of the
Commercial Farmers' Union, said the protest could spread nationwide
because normal operations were becoming "impossible".  He petitioned Mr
Mugabe to halt the land invasions, which commenced in February, and
began a fresh legal attempt to end his members' ordeal.

Farmers around Karoi, 150 miles north-west of Harare, began their strike
at
6am yesterday.  Irrigation systems were switched off and their 27,000
workers sat idle, although they will be paid for as long as possible.
The protest was joined by 57 farmers in neighbouring Tengwe.  Alan
Parsons, one of the striking landowners, said: "We want law and order
back in our country.

"That's what this is about.  We can't continue in this state of anarchy
any longer." He said a nationwide strike was on the cards.  Some of
Karoi's shops and garages closed in solidarity with the landowners after
Mr Tsvangirai called the farmers' action "justified".

He said: "If this lawlessness continues, the protests may spill into the
urban areas, where workers will be forced to take action in solidarity
with farm workers who now live under constant fear of losing their lives
or jobs." Mr Tsvangirai is a former secretary-general of the Zimbabwe
Congress of Trade Unions, which has close ties with the MDC.

He led a series of national strikes in 1997 and 1998, and senior figures
in the MDC believe such action is necessary again.  A member of Mr
Tsvangirai's executive said: "What we need is a general protest,
covering every industry, until we return to the rule of law.  I think it
will happen soon."

Beleaguered farmers, who have lost all confidence in the police, were
still shocked yesterday by the attack on Mr Brand, one of the striking
farmers, outside his gates at Gremlin farm, Karoi.  He said: "They came
and said they wanted to take my farm.  I turned to go back to my
security gate and that's when they started beating me.  They hit me with
sticks until I dropped to the ground."

Mr Brand was rescued by fellow farmers and rushed to Chinhoyi hospital,
where he was treated for a fractured arm, severe bruising and
lacerations to his head and right ear.  He told them the squatters had
"got into a frenzy and wanted to take vengeance on somebody".

Farmers are reaching the end of their patience after an ordeal that has
lasted for almost six months.  Mr Henwood gave the CFU's first warning
of national action.  He said: "In the interests of the safety of our
members and their workers it may soon become impossible for farming
operations to continue nationwide.

"This drastic action will have a serious impact on the economy of
Zimbabwe but will be a small price to pay to prevent further loss of
life." Mr Henwood begged the president "to intervene in bringing to an
end the perils faced by all those involved in commercial farming".

The CFU asked the High Court to order the police to evict the squatters
and act against violence.  Judges have already granted this request
twice, but their orders have been ignored.  Few believe that the third
legal attempt to solve the crisis will meet with any more success.

The government has scant sympathy for the farmers.  Joseph Made, the
newly appointed Agriculture Minister, accused them of trying to sabotage
land reform and warned against a strike.  He told the official Herald
newspaper: "I appeal to the farmers not to go ahead with the
demonstration.

"If the strike goes ahead it will reaffirm the need for land
redistribution in this country.  We cannot have a few people threatening
the majority."

________________

Tuesday, 25 July, 2000, 16:27 GMT 17:27 UK -BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_850000/850936.stm
              Zanu considers life after
              Mugabe

              Younger Zanu-PF members are keen for a change
              Zimbabwe's political elite is beginning to face
              the reality that President Robert Mugabe
              cannot be around for ever.

              The state news agency, Ziana - normally
              marked by its adherence to the ruling party
              line - has reported the existence of a group of
              "kingmakers" who have set out to groom new
              party leadership ahead of the 2002 presidential
              election.

              Zanu-PF is trying "to
              identify someone who
              can command total
              support in Zimbabwe
              and can beat any MDC
              candidate", according
              to a party source
              quoted by Ziana.

              But Mr Mugabe himself
              has avoided any
              obvious moves to groom a successor, and his
              spokeman denied the reports concerning the
              "kingmakers".

              Reports suggest divisions within the party -
              and even among the supposed kingmakers -
              over who should succeed Mr Mugabe.

              Generation gap

              The older members of the party - including the
              president himself - are believed to favour party
              chairman John Nkomo or finance secretary
              Emmerson Mnangagwa as the future leader.

              Both are senior figures in a rigid party
              hierarchy.

              Mr Mnangagwa, formerly minister of justice,
              lost his seat in the elections, and his cabinet
              post in the subsequent reshuffle - but was
              voted in as parliamentary speaker, a post
              which does not have to be held by an MP.

              Younger party members believe it is time for
              some fresh blood - and their preferred
              candidate is said to be Finance and Economic
              Development Minister Simba Makoni.

              The state of Zimbabwe's economy is the most
              pressing source of discontent within Zanu-PF.

              A former businessman, Mr Makoni was
              appointed in an attempt to signal that the
              party was prepare... (sorry the rest of this sentence was truncated...)

              New leadership

              Meanwhile, the Financial Gazette, a respected
              independent paper in Zimbabwe, suggested
              that the cabinet shake-up announced on 15
              July had been designed to fit in with Mr
              Mugabe's plans for a new party leadership
              structure.

              Mr Mugabe apparently wants next month's
              party congress to promote certain figures
              within the politburo, while retiring others.

              There is speculation that first in line for
              replacement may be the party provincial
              leaders, whom Mr Mugabe blames for
              Zanu-PF's dismal showing in the elections.

              But the Financial Gazette also suggests that
              this issue could cause a further split within the
              party, with some stalwarts insisting that the
              politburo be elected rather than appointed.
________

 

 Dear All, is it not time to follow Glendales example of shutting down their
whole area in protest to the war vets/thugs constant harrassment and
violence and the Police inaction and inertia?  We believe it is time that
the farmers took a strong stand for the return to rule of law.  Iain and
Kerry Kay.