COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION
Farm Invasions and Security Report
Thursday 1 November 2001

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This report does not purport to cover all the incidents that are taking place in the commercial farming areas. Communication problems and the fear of reprisals prevent farmers from reporting all that happens. Farmers names, and in some cases farm names, are omitted to minimise the risk of reprisals.

NATIONAL REPORT IN BRIEF:

REGIONAL REPORTS
MASHONALAND CENTRAL
Bindura - On Thursday afternoon the settlers on Brockley Farm asked to speak to the owner who contacted the DA and was told not to speak them. A commercial vehicle hired to transport a tobacco machine to the farm was prevented from delivering the machine. On Thursday on Duiker Flats all work was stopped under instruction from one Mutungire in an attempt to extort water and other items from the owner. The illegal settlers formed a human barricade across the gates preventing anyone from entering or leaving the premises. The police response to this incident was totally biased in favour of the settlers.  On Frinton Farm an Agritex Officer and six helpers began pegging Rhodes Grass paddocks. On Sunmount Estates unidentified men arrived on his farm and began marking the trees with numbers of plots. When asked for papers they could not produce them but said that the Lands Committee had sent them.
Glendale - Tractors with ploughs and harrows arrived on some of the farms in the district.
Horseshoe - On Blue Grass Farm the owner’s partner was locked in his house over a labour dispute.  On Camsasa Farm the owner has been evacuated from his farm and all irrigation of his tobacco crop has been stopped. On Amajuba Farm all work on the coffee plantation has been stopped. On Naini Tal Farm the owner has been accused of setting fires.
Mvurwi - Farfields Farm was pegged for resettlement and illegal settlers arrived to claim the land that they said had been allocated to them.
Tsatsi - On Rivers Farm illegal settlers stopped the planting of tobacco after only two of the intended 40 hectares had been planted. The situation remains unresolved.  On Glen Devon Farm the resident war veterans stopped the labourers from cutting gum poles and thatching grass.  On Howick Estates 30 illegal settlers arrived and began building huts. The invader who goes by the name of Bote informed the owner that he no longer owned the farm and that the farm had been legally given to them by the Government. The farm is not listed for acquisition and no Section 5 has been issued to the owner.  There have been no changes on the farms where work stoppages are continuing.
Victory Block - The labourers on Msitwe Farm, in fear of being made redundant, attempted to return to work on Tuesday but the illegal settlers threatened the manager with violence which then caused the women to become involved. They were very brave and loud but in retaliation for this the illegal settlers slashed 5000 tobacco plants (approximately 1 hectare) that had already been planted. The Mvurwi Police were called to the scene but they did not arrest the culprits The illegal settlers also burnt a paddock with Rhodes Grass. Tensions are high on the farm between farm workers and illegal settlers. The owner of Undercragg Farm was visited by a uniformed soldier who stated that he was a plot holder on the farm and requested to rent a building in the farm village to use as a grinding mill. The soldier was accompanied by a Government Official from Harare (Arnold Kapisa) and three unknown men. The request was denied and Kapisa later told the labourers that the owner had been told to state when he intended to leave the farm.  32 illegal settlers led by Mhaka stopped a tractor that was ridging.  When the workers attempted to discuss the matter with them they were threatened with violence. The tractor and workers left the land and stated that they would return to work on Tuesday. The matter has not been resolved. On Mount Fatigue Farm a police support unit Landrover arrived on the farm with representatives from the Lands Committee, army and police. Amongst them was a Mr.R.Marime, Mr.Kaningoni and one other man representing the war veterans. The owner was informed by the representatives of the Lands Committee Members that normal farming operations would be allowed on unpegged lands. Under no circumstances was the farmer allowed to go anywhere near officially pegged lands. The question of the 12 hectares of irrigated tobacco that had already been planted was raised - because of the fact that it lay within some of the pegged area. The farmer explained to them that the ridging and fertilising had been done in August, prior to the land being pegged on the 26th and 27th of September. The people concerned accepted that this was an error and agreed that the farmer should continue with the crop. The Land Committee wanted the farmer to instruct his labour, in their presence, not to be nasty to the illegal settlers. This was done! The visitors expressed concern when they realised that there were only 5 illegal settler families resident on this farm.

MASHONALAND WEST (SOUTH)
Norton - On one property the owner has had to harrow his seedbeds in as he is unable to plant and it is now getting too late.  The status quo regarding lack of planting remains the same.
Selous - On Mount Carmel most of the rest of the grazing has been burnt out and cattle have been moved on.  The D.A.'s pegging team continues to go out with letters on to properties even where they are unlisted and do not fit into any Government criteria.  The D.A. says these order for pegging are instructions from his superiors in the Ministry.  They remain contemptuous of the Supreme Court Order stopping this from continuing.
Chegutu/Suri-Suri - On Bougainvillea Farm illegal occupiers have told the owner to remove all his cattle, and the owner is still not allowed to plant despite the fact that the farm was only listed after the Supreme Court Order stopped farms from being listed.  On Exwick illegal occupier Makoni has occupied a store room and barns.  Government vehicles continue to be used in taking off wood.  This farm was de-listed nearly four months ago.  On Mkute Councillor Dube has erected a milling machine in one of the outbuildings, with ZESA having supplied power from their transformer for him.  On Farnham a Rural District Council tractor and trailer delivered bricks for illegal occupiers to build with.  This property is unlisted.   
Kadoma/Chakari/Battlefields - On Newbiggin Farm, where the fifteen year old girl recently had a public whipping by the leader of the illegal occupiers there, the witnesses who reported to police have been threatened and told to get off the farm.  On Eiffel Blue Farm the D.A's pegging team is pegging under the centre pivot where the owner is currently trying to plant Paprika. 

MASHONALAND WEST (NORTH)
Trelawney/Darwendale - Squatodzi Farm owner received a demand for land prep to be done and maize to be milled for a group of settlers.  The police declined to record the incident as no law had been broken.   On Elveden Farm  6 vehicles moved in with a total of 49 people.  One pre-fabricated house has been erected with an asbestos roof. There are now a total of 40 houses now. The farmer reported to the Darwendale Police who would not provide an RRB number.  Next year's tobacco lands are now occupied.  On Gwarati Farm  settlers informed some of the labour that they must stop stumping as the farmer will not be allowed to even grow vegetables this year. They continued stumping anyway.  The farmer decided to pay all the labour for the days they worked and sent them off back to the farm village to avoid being victimised. 
Lions Den -  General -   The situation is fairly quiet but some illegal fires and continued pressure on cattle and grazing.  Many farmers have been prevented from planting. On Laureton no crops are allowed to be planted and the cattle are under constant threat.  The owner has been de-stocking but the settlers are still not satisfied and he has been told that all his cattle must be off the farm by today.  The CIO Rural however agreed that the owner cannot be moved off the farm.  He phoned the owner to advise him of this and said he would reiterate the point to the Land Committee.  The Range owner is under constant pressure to get off the land and not to plant any crops.  The farmer has to dip the settlers’ cattle when he dips his own cattle or he faces new threats.  Two Tree have a work stoppage except for the flowers.  On Dumalan settlers have claimed the land with underground piping for their own use.  The owner is attempting to negotiate the use of this land with the D.A.  The owner of Kapfundi has been driven off the farm together with all his cattle. On Shubara no cropping is allowed, there is limited grazing left and lots of pressure on his cattle. Building of houses continues and settlers have killed 3 calves and set fires.  On Mutala Farm no cropping is allowed and the farmer has had to compromise on the grazing.  The owner of Zintafuli has been forced off the farm and the house has been occupied by settlers.  Poaching is rampant.  The owner of Omagora has also been forced off his farm and poaching is rampant.  No cropping and grazing are allowed on Shadows Farm, Marnette and Zebra Vlei .  On West/Athens and Akardia grazing land is being disputed and Nyamakare has been burnt out.  Fynnland’s has successfully got his wheat crop off.  On Blue Hills the DA demolished three shacks erected without his consent.  Kanami are able to plant but with threats of destruction of the tobacco, even by one Police Officer in uniform.  Windsock Farm owner has been driven off the farm. Tsare Farm  is 80% burnt out with only 100 head of cattle left. Irrigation pipes have been stolen.  On Slaughter Farm  the grazing has been burnt and there are approximately 50 head of cattle left.  Chief Chirau sent a delegation of approximately 20 people to settle on Sligo Farm.  On Greensleeves Farm theft of irrigation equipment has occurred.  The owner’s guards and ZRP are patrolling at night for one week.  Portelet Farm has a work stoppage and on Portelet Estates the owner has been stopped from baling wheat straw. Cattle are not allowed to graze the wheat straw and there are no farming operations in progress.
Umboe -  On Temperley Farmgum trees have been felled and used to build houses. There are 23 houses on the farm, 8 Families, 5 Goats and 21 Cattle.  The settlers are mixing their cattle with Long Weaners.  The farmer warned the settlers that these weaners were being fed a high urea feed, and the farmer cannot be held responsible if their cattle die from urea poisoning. Chifundi, Gordonia and Elmely Farms have completed combining the wheat.  The settlers have burnt all the wheat lands and now the farmer is unable to bale wheat straw to feed his cattle.  All labour on the above three farms will be paid off at the end of October 2001 as the farmer can no longer afford to pay wages.  All lands have been pegged so he is unable to plant crops.  A Lister motor was stolen by Shepard Everton, assisted by the driver of a Massey Furguson (390) tractor doing land prep on the farm.  The driver turned state witness and  gave evidence against Sheppard Everton on condition that he is not charged.  On Fupi Farm fires have now burnt most of the grazing. On Oswa Farm the  previously reported illegal activities continue uninterrupted.  New fires are lit almost every second day.  Muni Farm owner held a meeting with the settlers, but they continue to cut boundary fences and main Lions Den/Mhangura road fence.  On Kaukua Farm the construction of houses continues, snaring and hunting with dogs is on the increase.  Ditchwe Farm and Talfourd Farm has a work stoppage.  Snaring and hunting with dogs continue and there appears to be an increase in the number of people visiting over the weekend.   On Devonia Farm  fires were started on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday night by settlers which totally burnt out approximately 100 ha. On Highbury Estates two settlers approached management and stated that they wanted tractors to plough for them.  The request was denied.  Land prep and normal farm operations continue without interference.
Doma - 3 Farms are not working : Northend, Kismet and Vrede.  A blue Land Rover went to pick up a war vet at Chiridsa Farm and the occupants loaded a 7.5 hp Relmo motor as well.
Karoi -  Settlers have planted tobacco, maize and cotton in the tobacco ridges prepared by the farmer. As at the 29th October, a full work stoppage continues.  The D.A. Karoi made an agreement with the farmer and settlers on co-existence and said that if any settler broke the agreement the police would arrest them.  The settlers told the farmer that the D.A.'s agreement is scrapped as the settlers own the land and the farmer must negotiate with each plot holder individually.  The farmer has decided to give most of his labour notice as obviously no agreement is binding with any of these people.   Ardingly Farm resident settlers protested against the farm labourers gleaning the wheat fields. A settler by the name of Jack threatened to burn the wheat straw and carried out his threat. Extensive poaching continues unabated on Yawanda Farm. Large packs of dogs are a frequent sight. The farm has not been successful in its attempts to restart full farming operations. No arrests have been made despite the farmer’s tireless efforts to report all cases of lawlessness to the Z.R.P.
Ayrshire -  Chiwe   reports a work stoppage.
Chinhoyi -  The Range Farm has not been allowed to destroy his cotton crop and is not allowed to bale his wheat straw.  Two Tree Hill Farm owner met with settler Vitalis Guta who had two houses burnt down in a fire started by other settlers who were burning wheat lands.  After avoiding a confrontation, the owner had a panic radio signal from Two Tree Farm that all three foremen had been abducted by "Vitalis-Guta". As a result of the police reaction to the abduction report settlers have burnt all grazing and much of the wheat stubble.  They have 300 cows with calves that will definitely die if the farmer cannot find alternative grazing. 
Nyabira -  A large demonstration was held which involved two new Renault tractors at Spa Farm. The ZRP were in attendance with many other government vehicles.  However, only a few ha. were planted.  Fencing on Upwey Farm   has been stolen and the building of houses is taking place along the road to Lilfordia.  The seed maize producers remain concerned that the 300 meter sanitary zone cannot and will not be respected.

MASHONALAND EAST
Wedza - Newton Farm had 10 irrigation sprinklers stolen whilst in use. On Fair Adventure a reedbuck was shot.  Another 3 fires were started on Rapako.  Two cows were found in snares and shots were heard in the night. 1 sable and 1 reedbuck were slaughtered and 1 Impala snared. Snaring is on the increase.  Leapyear 25 x 3" pipes were stolen. A cream Nissan truck Reg. No 377-115G was seen and 17 damaged pipes were recovered. On Markwe with the help of some of the illegal settlers the owner's son caught one member of a gang stealing irrigation pipes, after interrogation by the illegal settlers he told them there were 3 more in a truck. After a chase in a vehicle they managed to apprehend the rest of the gang who came from Darowa and are stealing pipes to make pots. The police arrested the gang. 70 ha of Rhodes grass pasture were burnt on Fels together with 10 ha of gum trees. After cleaning up in the greenhouse an estimated $15 000 000 worth of export roses have been thrown away and 4 irrigation sprinklers were stolen. War vets and illegal settlers arrived at Ashlyns having caught 3 people and the driver of a 3 t truck (Reg. No. 411-475 E) who had been buying irrigation pipes from the guard who had broken up 15 pipes and had another 15 beside his house. On Imire another cow was poached. Snares that are cleared by guards are replaced within 24 hours. Snaring rampant.  Plymtree had 300 head of cattle pushed into the security fence. The farm has been divided into 62 plots. At present there are 5 illegal settlers and their wives on the farm. They again told the labour they must move into the security fence. The owner called the police and the labour have moved back into their houses but are very jittery.  On Mbima a road block of rocks and a tree was put across the road leading to the dam.  Richard Chirimuta, a settler from Rapako farm, led about 100 people to peg Kangewa. The farm is not listed and has not been pegged or invaded before.
Marondera South - On Safari a drunken mob broke the homestead fence  lock and  moved around the house drumming and singing.
Marondera North – On Wingtip and Meandu Agritex are pegging for A.2
Featherstone – On Kuruman during the night an invader’s house was burnt, apparently by a child. War veteran Wezhira came to the workers’ village and chased the workers out of their homes, threatening to shoot anybody who tried to sleep in his home. At Featherstone Old Sale Pens war veteran Wezhira, an ex-member of the Chivhu Land Committee was dismissed for taking money for plots.  He told the caretaker that if he refused to plough the 7 ha. premises he would be considered an MDC supporter, and Wezhira would take over the land. The owners of Ngesi and  Harvieston have completely destocked their 450 breeding cows under pressure and Vergenoeg has destocked 300 cows and heifers under pressure.
Beatrice -  On New Retreat there is continued pegging in steel in concrete. The irrigation 4'' aluminium main line was deliberately sabotaged. Goldilands has renewed pegging. Up to 30 settlers arrived on Brakveld in a minibus to peg this unlisted farm. The police were informed but said they should continue with their activities. The invaders left after an hour. Possibly the same group lead by war veteran Chitende started planting on a land prepared land by the commercial farmer on Argyle Ranch.  Plots were being ploughed by oxen and later by the Manyame Rural Council tractor on Welcome Home. On Maasplein  war veteran Mombe stated that the farm now belonged to the Government and instructed the manager that all work had now finished on the farm and the labour could only work within the confines of the fence around the two homesteads.
Enterprise & Goromonzi – There is widespread ploughing by D.D.F. tractors
Macheke/ Virginia -  MALDA had a prowler with a firearm within the homestead security fence. This was reported to Police who stated that they would react later in an undercover manner. Agritex are pegging on Glen Wyvis. There is continuing pressure on Howgate by settlers for the owner to remove the cattle from the paddock containing wheat stubble as they wish to commence ploughing. They want the cattle to go back to a paddock with no grazing left as the cattle have been forced to remain there for some weeks. Four head have died in the last week from malnutrition.  At a meeting held with settlers and war veteran Radoka a compromise was reached on various matters including the grazing of cattle during the day only. Demands that the farmer plough the settlers’ land were refused. Murrayfield reports the widespread cutting of timber within a pine plantation by settlers with preparation of the poles for sale by them.
Harare South -  Agritex arrived in a Ministry of Health Vehicle on Edinburgh and told the owner they were there to peg.

MANICALAND
Mutare - On En Avante the owner had ceded a piece of land and the DA told the war vets to move off the rest of the farm onto the ceded land, as a result the war vets erected a barricade across the road.
Odzi - On Green Valley war vets/Zanu PF members have been forcing farm workers to attend meetings and demanding transport for them to do so.  This has been refused and war vet Magondo took offence at the refusal and threatened the Owner with having the farm closed down, told the owner to pack and go back to Britain.  He claimed to be President, Joseph Made, Msika etc with the authority of all the above.  The Police were advised of the above, and asked to explain to Magondo that transport will never be available for such purposes, which they have undertaken to do. On Clare Farm a piece of land had been ceded, and when the authorities told the war vets to occupy the ceded land, they harassed the farmer.

MIDLANDS
No report  received.

MATABELELAND
Nyathi -  The farmer on Chiltern farm had a visit from Shepherd Moyo, a war vet who has caused a lot of trouble in the district. He was drunk and arrived with a Combi load of people and demanded to know where his land was. The farmer phoned the D.A.’s Secretary who advised him that Moyo had no right to be there. The farmer then phoned Mr Nkomo from the Bubi Rural District Council who spoke to Shepherd Moyo who slammed down the phone and insisted that he phone the Governor. The farmer refused to do this and finally Moyo left. He phoned Mr Nkomo back a few hours later and was told that his application to be delisted had been approved and Moyo was not to be allowed back on Chiltern Farm.  Mary Ellen Farm’s Manager was visited by 2 war vets claiming to belong to a Union called Horticulture and Agriculture Workers Union of Zimbabwe, which the Manager has ascertained from the ALB is not yet legal. They wanted to know if he had a Workers’ Committee and why workers had been fired. Braemar Ranch had people who came to ascertain the meat prices in the Butchery and insisted that the farmer lower the price to $50, which the farmer refused to do.  They said they would check prices on to other farms. Mambo Ranch was visited by a man claiming to be a former member in charge of a police station during the Smith regime, who asked to be shown two plots for which he had paid $3000. The plots are supposed to be on another farm. The 9 settlers that were on the other farm have moved back to Kennilworth as they were told by the Police that this was state land. Agritex also arrived on the farm with a man who probably came from the Historical Society. This man was very angry that the Agritex man had allowed them to settled on land considered holy because of all the shrines, graves etc, and told him they had no right to move people on to Mambo.   The owner of Gravesend was told by Dumiswa Dabengwa that he must sell him some cattle and the land on Gravesend. The owner reported the loss of 3 cattle and said he had very good reaction from the Police member in charge at Inyathi.  Redland Valley Farm’s owner has asked to exchange his farm for Dingaan farm, which was followed up with the Matabelenad North P.A. who also updated Miss Siwela. The P.A. was angry and said that he was very disappointed with her as she was refusing to de-list any white-owned farms in her district and he would speak to her and the Governor about it. About 4 hours after this conversation the owner's wife had an anonymous phone call from a woman (whom she recognised as Miss Siwela) who threatened to kill her and her husband.   On Paddys Valley Farm a war vet, Mtambo, threatened to bring in the Youth Brigade from Masvingo and kill 4 of the staff who were looking after the owners. The farmer's wife phoned the Police, who promised to rectify the matter.
Nyamandhlovu – On Edwaleni Farm the owner reported that there has been no improvement since September. There are settlers around the farm homestead and the staff are cowed by the war vets' intimidation and predations.  500 head of cattle and 120 donkeys are causing overstocking of the farm by 50%.  The farm has suffered 7 veld fires that have destroyed 55% of the grazing area.  Prime, improved grassland is being ploughed up and this will increase the overstocking problem to 250% by Jan 2002.  Settlers' lands are up against every water point and are interfering with the availability of  water.  Stockfeed has already been a major expense. The farm infrastructure is being rendered inoperable.  Police have attempted to move the squatters, but were angrily rejected by the war vets. Wire theft has started, and what little game is left is systematically being destroyed.  
Bulawayo Lupane Road - Disused PTC lines are being stolen and used for snares.  Long lengths of wire are being stolen in the Winterblock Area of the Cold Storage Commission Ranch.  The PTC Area Manager states that the wire should be reclaimed to construct new lines in the Tsholotsho area and will assist by having the lines removed as fast as he can.  Two new settlers moved on to Cedar Park this week claiming to have been sent by Gov Obert Mpofu.  Content Lot 1/ Yekabiyinale - Both properties are unlisted, but are occupied by 45 families.  Settlers are continuing to arrive and all attempts to halt and redress the situation with the authorities and Lands Committee have failed.  Foreman Felix Dube of Kennebec Farm was told by war vets to leave the farm immediately and not to return.  A heifer was killed on Edwaleni farm and dragged onto Mkondo farm where some of the meat was removed.   Clever Ncube phoned at 0645 hrs to advise that he intended to value Kauzaan farm. Ncube arrived at 1400 hrs with a driver in a Nissan 7 tonne truck  Reg. No. GLM 2211.and as he could not produce proof of whom he was and in what capacity he was there he was asked to leave.  Prior to leaving he said that he had been sent by Mr Majero who could be contacted on given telephone numbers, one of which turned out to be the National Breweries and the second number is the Ministry of Local Government.   A man in a brown Datsun 1300 pickup shot a kudu cow on East Junction farm but before he could load it war vets living nearby approached him and he absconded.  It is believed he could be a butcher from Tsholotsho.   Following a report about D.D.F. bulldozers last week one of them totally destroyed three steel gates on an undesignated farm whilst proceeding to build some small 'dams'. A Police vehicle Z.R.P. 1151 driven by Cst. Ngwenya of PISI Z.R.P. Nyamandlovu was found hunting on Cheshire farm at 3.00am.  At least one of the group was a war vet, Moses Moyo, who was seen in possession of a spotlight and an F.N. rifle.  The vehicle was escorted to the Nyamandlovu Police Station by local farmers.  Inspector R.F. Ncube drove to the complainant’s farm, an indigenous farmer, and the report was dropped.  Following a meeting at which certain dairy farmers, the Manager of D.M.B.  Bulawayo Branch and the Govenor of  Matabeleland North were present,  Japhet Mpofu, a local farmer and office bearer in ZANU PF, told a farm manager that the landowner would have to pay the squatters on the farm for their labour and materials used to build their huts and for transport to move off the farm. Police react to a report and the investigating officer said he would take the matter up with Agritex.
Gwaai – On Hankano Ranch war vets deliberately revved up the diesel engine on the borehole to the point that the borehole rods or the diesel engine would be damaged.  The owner was prevented from intervening and threatened with a severe beating. The elderly owner was harangued for sometime before he managed to convince them to allow him to slow the engine down.  It seems the only purpose to the exercise was to anger and antagonise the owner. On another Gwaai property two Agritex officials who claimed they had been allocated half each of the 400Ha farm and were going to take over the farm and the safari company as it now belonged to them have not returned in the last five days.
West Nicholson – On Jonsyl Ranch a further 30 settlers have moved onto the Ranch.
Wedza Block - Army and Police moved into position on Sunday 21st, and from Monday this week have been removing illegal squatters off several properties in the area.  Many have moved back to their communal areas by themselves and some 500 are being moved by army vehicles to a new area set aside for them under a local community plan. More than 2000 settlers are involved.  Any resistance to moving has not been tolerated, and any claims for refunds for payments to  Councils/individuals/Committees etc have been referred to the recipients of the money.  The exercise is expected to be completed next week. All huts are being destroyed by the army.  All squatters who arrived after March 2001 have been instructed to find their own way to their place of origin, as their occupation is illegal.  Settlers legally brought on are being very efficiently run and co-ordinated.  This will bring tremendous relief to the local conservancy.
Shangani – On Cinderella the cottage and storeroom were broken into last weekend and various household good were stolen.  Police have been informed, but no results as yet.  On Thornville Farm invasions are continuing to take place and building has commenced.  People arrived on Forfar Farm claiming that the farm had been designated in May 2001.  Military personnel have been showing interest in this farm throughout the year.  It was listed in April 2001.
Gwanda - Illegal occupation and tree felling was reported on Cleveland Ranch.  Forestry Dept declared it illegal to fell trees on this property. Collen Bawn ZRP advised the owner that the Gwanda District Lands Committee headed by the DA is responsible for the six occupiers engaging in tree felling.

MASVINGO
Masvingo East and Central – On Marah Ranch  a fire was started by illegal occupiers which spread into the owner’s security yard and burnt all the fruit trees.  The owner is presently away.
Mwenezi – Fires are reported to be a major problem throught the area.  Poaching is rife and there is continued theft of wire and firewood.  On KleinbeginJoco/Kayansee Ranches the court order to remove all livestock is being completely ignored.  One pedigree cow was caught in a snare and has subsequently died.  The owner of Bothasrus had a visit from the Assistant DA at Beit Bridge and has been threatened with an invasion of people.  This property has not been invaded before.
Chiredzi – Illegal occupiers are moving over all properties and poaching is rampant. Wire theft is out of control and cattle are snared on a daily basis.  Continued poaching, deforestation and snaring continues unabated on Mungwezi Rand.