COMMERCIAL FARMERS'
UNION INFORMATION ROOM
- FARM INVASIONS UPDATE - 10 MAY
2000
The memorial service for the late Mr Alan Dunn
will be held at the Presbyterian Church, Highlands, on Saturday 13th May 2000 at
11:00 a.m. Farmers and friends please take this as an intimation.
REGIONAL REPORTS
Mashonaland Central
Centenary - negotiations are underway on Viewfield, where 200
invaders have requested food and accommodation and have given the owner an
ultimatum to move off farm. A group of 250 invaders gathered at Drumarda Farm.
About 170 of this group then moved on to The Range, demanding food and
accommodation. Tension has escalated since the visit by the National Task
Force.
Mvurwi - Invaders at Forrester D Section have requested
transport to attend a rally in Chiweshe, which has been refused.
Glendale - Chirobi was visited by a group from Mazowe/Harare
yesterday, who requested pegging Kirriedale, and by a group from Glendale today,
who requested pegging Irenedale. The owner has since moved off farm as the
situation is tense. About 30 from the Chirobi group moved on to Bemersyde and
are at the farmer's gate demanding he speak to them.
Mutepatepa/Bindura - subsequent to demands made by war vets
who left Chiveri and Condwelani Farms for replacement of "lost" property, there
have been threats to stop work tomorrow if the demands are not met.
Mazowe/Concession - Iron Mask was visited yesterday but no
presence was left on farm. Thomas Mujuru and his followers visited a farm, then
moved into a butchery and store demanding the business be closed down and
threatening to burn down the store in retribution for assistance rendered to
Pearson Farm.
Harare West/Nyabira - War vets have been to Beachy-Head
Estates and told the owner to stop all future production. The manager at
Oldbury farm had been given a list of groceries to supply the invaders. A large
crowd is gathering at Stableford to peg the farm.
Mashonaland East
A taskforce meeting held at Marondera Hotel yesterday (9 May).
An estimated 60 commercial farmers and war vets were addressed by Nick Swanepoel
and Dr Hunzvi of the National Taskforce Team and the co-chairman of the
Provincial Taskforce, Messrs Kochi and Parkin. Most districts were represented
but unfortunately renegade factions were not present.
Mr Kochi was very strong on the task of the National Taskforce
being to get land redistributed going immediately and he intimated that violence
and the intimidation on farms would stop once that happened. It was of concern
that in this respect he was putting the cart before the horse. Dr. Hunzvi
stressed strongly the need for farming operations to go on unhindered. He
reminded the audience that this was now the second visit to Mashonaland East by
the Taskforce, and that he did not want it to be necessary to come again. He
emphasised that the National Taskforce has been tasked to resolve the issue but
is spending too much time putting out fires, and that the sooner these problems
on the ground ceased, the quicker people would see results.
The mood of the meeting was cordial and without overt
animosity.
Marondera - Rodzvlei Estate was reinvaded by a
different group of people to that which had initially invaded it. The invaders
appeared to be offended that others had pegged before them. Disruption of land
prep took place on Vilendy due to the building of huts.
Wedza - Last night 3 groups of invaders went on to Moore Farm
and assaulted the labourers and damaged the compound.
Bromley/Ruwa - Invaders are making demands on the manager of
Golden Acres Farm.
Macheke/Virginia - Intimidation is ongoing, and some labourers
have been assaulted. More details are unknown at this stage.
Mashonaland West North
Mtorashanga/Raffingora/Trelawney/Darwendale - Quiet
Banket - Newlands Estates. Farmer's wife alone
on farm with 25 invaders present. On the farmer's return, most had dispersed.
11 "war vets" were given land to peg, who wanted it prepared for them. They
have since left the farm.
On Wannock Glen, 30 "war vets" arrived on 9.5.00
to discipline a foreman who had thrown a prostitute out of the compound. Ten
arrived today as invaders.
Mlebwe Farm has 50-60 people
cutting trees and building on the irrigated land for tobacco. These people came
from the nearby chrome mines.
Karoi - Rydings Primary School is
open but there is no one at school. On Fourwinds, 30
invaders but peaceful. Will come back on Tuesday. Wingate
Farm has invaders hassling the labour.
Lions Den - Invaders are back at Upper Romsey wanting land and
meat. Hillrise Farm was invaded late last night.
Doma - Victory Estate was very tense last
night. Negotiations managed to defuse the situation.
Mashonaland West South
ZANU PF has been visiting farms recently,
organising rallies and finding out from labour if the boss is "good or bad." If
the labourers deemed the "boss" to be bad, there are threats to take the
farm.
War vet splinter groups continue to visit farms around the
district, threatening to bring in people to peg.
Generally, the area is quiet.
Masvingo
Dr Hunzvi arrived late
yesterday afternoon with a vehicle at Mapari Restcamp where he addressed a few
war vets for 2 hours.
4 cattle appear to be missing on Yettam Farm.
Matabeleland
Nothing to report
Manicaland
There was a situation on Roy Bennett's Vooruitzicht Farm this
morning. Four farmers were held for approximately 3 hours. They have since been
released unharmed.
Peaceful walk-on's and pegging have occurred on four farms in
the Mutare area.
In the Chipinge area 400 war veterans walked onto a property.
Peaceful and pegging plots.
Midlands
Shurugwi - Corangamite Farm
had a break in of the farm workshop by invaders. Framer accused of hoarding
fuel. Police are reacting. Highlands Farm has been pegged. The invaders have
told the farmer, who is out the country, to reap his maize and move off the
500-600 head of cattle. They are living in his chicken run at present. On
Edwards Farm invaders insisted on searching the house and stole some household
items. Owner had received death threats and was not present.
OTHER
The Farm Workers' Relief
Fund
Thus far a lot of clothes, pots and pans,
blankets and even groceries have been collected and distribution needs to take
place as soon as possible. In this connection farmers who are aware of the
needs of their workers who have suffered as a result of the current lawlessness
prevailing in the country should contact Mrs Sandy Wooler (mornings only) on the
CFU telephone numbers, who will facilitate the distribution.