High Court
Order Justice Bartlett issued an order in the High Court today
citing Chenjerai Hunzvi on two counts of contempt of the Court Order,
by Consent, of the 17th March 2000. He said at the heart of this
matter are two fundamental truths: - There is a necessity for
equitable land redistribution in Zimbabwe as this was the matter
motivating the liberation struggle - Equitable land redistribution can
only take place in the context of the rule of law - it cannot take place
in a state of anarchy. He required Chenjerai Hunzvi to comply with the
statement made under Oath by him in his responding Affidavit, where he
said, "I shall always strive to assist the applicant in (CFU) to ensure
peaceful vacation by war veterans from the farms." Justice
Bartlett ordered Dr Hunzvi to fulfill this obligation by 5th May 2000
when the Court will convene again at 10:00 a.m. to consider the matter,
and whether Dr Hunzvi had complied with his above-quoted promise. To
this end, Dr Hunzvi is required to file an affidavit in the High
Court on 3rd May, detailing steps he has taken to comply with his
promise. The CFU is required to file an Affidavit by 4th May,
expressing its views as to whether Dr Hunzvi has done so. At the
Hearing at 10:00 a.m. on 5th May, sentence and penalty will be
considered as well as the matter of costs.
Vice-President
Colin Cloete and Deputy Director Richard Amyot have been to talk to
farmers and visit the Bulawayo, and more particularly, Nyamandhlovu
area, to get first hand experience of the incident at Compensation
Farm.
President Henwood and Director David Hasluck are
meeting with President Mugabe at 16:45 today. Reports will follow
later.
Although the following areas have been evacuated,
we believe that this is not necessary in most areas, and careful
consideration of the situation is necessary before a drastic decision is
made: Headlands, Wedza, Virginia/Macheke, Enterprise, Matabeleland
and Midlands. Please do this according to a plan.
The CFU have called an emergency Council meeting tomorrow morning.
Many people have expressed concern about President Mugabe's
statement of how white farmers are now enemies of the state.
Farmers and their families are feeling very threatened and vulnerable
and are asking what the CFU is doing about the situation.
Matabeleland On Martin Olds' Compensation Farm, a hit
squad comprising 13 vehicles (an assortment of 404s, 504s, 323s) arrived
from Bulawayo township carrying 100-120 people. It is difficult to
estimate how many weapons were involved. Mr Olds contacted labour and
CFU for assistance. The squad surrounded the house, firing at it
and then set fire to it. It is assumed that Mr Olds locked himself in
the back bathroom, waiting for help to come, and eventually
smoke and fire drew him outside, where he was killed. Support unit
were called in and would have passed these vehicles on the way in as
well as at a road block. There was little support from the
police.
Nyamandlhovu farmers in the area are taking
precautions and moving into town. Other Matabeleland farmers who have
been threatened or feel they are targets are also moving off the farms
(approximately 350).
Mashonaland East On Dave
Stobart's Atlanta Farm on Saturday night, invaders and labourers were
involved in a small battle which resulted in the squatters' camp being
completely overrun. The police settled the dispute and put police
details on the farm. They acted well. In the morning the police
organised a negotiation between the squatters and the farmer. The
result was that the farmer would pay compensation for the plastic
sheeting that had been damaged by the labourers by 2:00 p.m. the
following day. However about an hour later a squatter, Chinotimba,
arrived from Harare with large number of reinforcements (200-250), and
burnt the compound and burley barns with the full burley crop inside and
half of the homestead. Mr Stobart and his son were on the
neighbouring farm. The situation is under control. Police
are on the ground but the squatters are in the homestead fence.
In Wedza there are reports of invaders gathering in large numbers
around the area. The Igava road has been totally blocked off with trees
etc. Julian Herbert has called for an evacuation of the Lower Ruzawi
Farms and they have managed to get through the back road there.
Masvingo In Mwenezi, a dozen head of cattle have been
found dead with high levels of poisoning.
In
Chiredzi, where threats have been occuring on a member and a vehicle
arrived late last night at his gate, he has taken the cautious route and
moved off the property for now.
Mashonaland
Central We would like to correct some of the facts that were reported
yesterday about the incident involving Kevin Tinker. He was
abducted, but it was for approximately 3 hours, and not the rumoured
12-14 hours. Physically, he was not seriously assaulted.
In Shamva there was a wave of attacks of farm villages during the
early hours of Independence Day and for the rest of the day. Five farms
were intensely affected during the day and several other farms had
minor incidents. The police response was poor.
Manicaland A report of one incident, which is linked to a
member being politically active. The family has now moved out and are
keeping a low profile.
Mashonaland West North
There have been some new invasions in Chinhoyi. The foreman on
Kialami Farm was assaulted and has a broken foot.
Mashonaland West South Two new invasions on Monday, but
otherwise all quiet.
Midlands Even though there
have been no incidents in this area, it has been decided to evacuate the
women and children from the farms.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation has been offered for Matabeleland farmers in
Bulawayo: Tel: Mrs Betsy Fulton 091 311723 Miss Melanie Fulton
023 894192 --- G van Pittius Tel: 487651 / 091
364043 --- George Blackwell, Borrowdale Tel: 303010
(bus) / 882681 (res) --- Mrs Cameron, Avondale Tel:
304390 --- David McKensie is offering a fully furnished
two-bedroomed house available for house-sitting for 3 months (6 May - 6
August) Tel: 882040
We have had an overwhelming number of offers from people
to accommodate farmers and their families, which I have listed
below:
Mrs Fulks Tel:
223330
---- Van Renen, Chisipite
(Enterprise area) Tel: 496040 Mrs van Renen works from home, so
a good place for children to stay
---- Mrs
Wilde, Glen Lorne Tel 499156 / 011 - 402735, Two bedroomed
fully furnished cottage for any farmers and their families who need a
place to stay. Mrs Wilde offers her support in any way and has an
e-mail facility at the main house for those who wish to use it.
---- Mrs Feltham, Helena Road, Marlborough
Tel:300108
---- Mrs D J Cremer, accommodation for
farmers from Marondera area Tel: 741096
---- Olaf and Lola Smyth Fully furnished house and also two
bedroomed cottage on another property Tel: 885860
---- Lorraine Castedo, well known Harare estate agent has offered
the following for the farmers :-
300 Acres in
Ruwa (for safe storage of farm equipment) - also accommodation 6
people 100 Acres in Ruwa (ditto) 1 Acre Highlands
(ditto) 1½ Acres Glen Lorne (ditto) (ALL OF THE ABOVE WILL
PROBABLY NEED ADDITIONAL SECURITY) Bishopslea school - Plenty of
accommodation, and plenty of vehicle parking space.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A FREE OFFER, LORRAINE IS NOT TRYING TO
MAKE MONEY OUT OF IT.
Lorraine can be contacted
on the following numbers / addresses :- Tel : 747142 (HOME /
WORK) Fax : 747439 Cell : 011 206261 Email :
castedo@goldnet.co.zw
----- WE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER OUR HOME TO ANY FARMER AND
HIS FAMILY AT ANYTIME.
NORMAN AND CHARMAYNE
MINTER
TEL 576328 / 573035 HARARE NORMAN CELL 011
603 776 CHARMAYNE CELL 091 337 362.
May we offer
our condolences to Mrs Stephens and her family on the very tragic loss
of her husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our thoughts and
prayers are with the other families
Norman and Charmayne
Minter
---- Marylin & Alex Liggett have 3
beds, Borrowdale Tel : 860907
---- Darryl
and Tracey Hunt, Marlborough Tel : 091 222356
---- Stuart and Tracey Chapman, Christon Bank Tel : 011
405614 011 411139
---- Judy Stubbs, Avondale West Tel: (04)
335929
----
Inns of Zimbabwe
Farmer's Special In appreciation for your support and in recognition of
your valued contribution to our country, Inns of Zimbabwe extends
a 20% discount to all our farmers, on presentation of your
farmer's licence, valid until 31 May 2000.
We hope you
will be able to take the opportunity to have a welcome break with our
Inns and let us spoil you!
Yours in farming,
Gordon Addams Chairman - Inns of Zimbabwe
Inn on the
Vumba Tel : (263) 20 60722/67449 Fax : (263) 20 60722
Cell : 011 215127 E-mail : C/O innofzim@internet.co.zw