CFU Update - 2 May 2000

COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION

INFORMATION ROOM

FARM INVASIONS UPDATE - 2 MAY 2000.

REGIONAL REPORTS

Masvingo
There have been 10 new invasions in the Masvingo Region - 3 in Gutu, 3 in Masvingo and 4 in Mwenezi.

In Chiredzi there has been a buildup of people on the western boundary of Sango Ranch, adjacent to the resettlement land, and on Malilangwe Ranch.

On Levanga Ranch, invaders assaulted a group of poachers and a man who broke into the homestead. They called the police to pick up the poachers and the thief.

There has been no sign of Tom Ackerman's labourer who has been missing since his abduction with another labourer on 30 April.

A breeding buffalo was shot three times on Speargrass on the 29th April, but is still alive. It is unconfirmed whether war veterans are responsible for this.

Central Mashonaland
Although there was a lot of activity over the holiday weekend, the levels of violence have dropped a few notches and there is an "uneasy" stability. Political re-education is ongoing and there were numerous rallies over the long weekend. The most disturbing development is the increasing demands being made of the farmers. It is clear that "campaign" funds have run dry and the invaders are increasingly turning to farmers for logistical support. The demands for mealie meal, meat, fuel and transport are accompanied by threats, sometimes veiled, of damage to property or violence. If the demands are not met, the invaders are tending to help themselves anyway. An increasing number of vehicles are being commandeered to transport people to rallies or to the next invasion.

Centenary: The situation at Vuka Farm is now quiet, but at Aranbira Farm the owners have been told that it is a waste of time to plant new crops as the farm will be acquired before they can harvest.

Horseshoe: Farmers are being pressurised to donate funds to the ruling party.

Mvurwi: At Rumanje Farm a work stoppage has been threatened and a tractor and trailer has been commandeered. One farmers has had his 7 tonne lorry commandeered over the entire long weekend, but with the farm driver driving.

Tsatsi: Up until this weekend, the Tsatsi area has been relatively quiet. However, on Monday an aggressive group arrived at Gem Farm and Bella Vista. Three tractors and trailers have been commandeered from Gem Farm to collect neighbouring farm workers for a large rally today. Montgomery Farm and Pennyrhyn/Mapere were visited yesterday and pegging commenced. This morning a group of 50 visited Nhangura Roses.

Glendale: There was a hostile new invasion by a group of 150 at Thorncreek Farm this morning. There was a temporary work stoppage and over half the workforce were required to go to a ZANU PF rally at Gem Farm in the Tsatsi area. A farmer has received serious threats.

Mutepatepa: Yesterday four workers were assaulted at Bodele Farm and there are ongoing work stoppages at Condwelani Farm.

Harare West/Nyabira: The situation at Lowdale is quiet today, but a "mombie" was slaughtered for consumption yesterday. There was a peaceful ZANU PF rally at Lilfordia School over the weekend. A group of about 250 pegged Granleaf Park for residential stands. The driver of Komani Estate who was abducted and assaulted has returned.

Mashonaland West North
On Grand Parade Farm in Karoi, tractors and a motorbike have been smashed with demos, in particular the fuel tanks.

Police have still not reacted to the break-in in the house on Slaughter Farm. Invaders are pegging and building houses.

There is a lot of pegging going on around Chinhoyi.

Mashonaland East
Yesterday three senior staff from Strathlorn were abducted and taken to the Ivadale war vets camp. They were returned to the farm today due to the intervention of the local leader of the war vets.

Last night the labour on Chakadenya Farm (Wedza) was assaulted. 6 people were hospitalised. The same group of invaders then went onto Plumtree Farm and assaulted the labour force there. 3 people were hospitalised. On another property in Wedza, the labour was assaulted after a rally held yesterday. On Southlorn Farm the labour was assaulted and guards threatened.

More details of these Wedza assaults are unknown at the time of writing.

Pegging is going on in Beatrice.

There were 3 new invasions in Marondera North on Sunday.

On Rufaro, pegged plots were advertised for sale and all in the community were invited to buy the land.

In Macheke/Virginia invaders are making unrealistic demands on the farmers. A vehicle has been given to the main war vet to travel the district and defuse and situations.

There is a new invasion in Bromley.

The farmers and their management have still not returned to Lonely Park and Devonia Farms.

Mashonaland West South
Quiet

Matabeleland
There were a total of 3 new invasions in the region today. On Wedza Block a safari operation due to begin on Thursday has been threatened.

Manicaland
No report

Midlands
Quiet

ACCOMMODATION

Mike Gard of Compusign Graphics
Large house in Strathaven for sale
Tel: 335878

Rusty Dodd
House available in Greendale for 3 month rental
Tel: 781655/7 / 011 408611 / 073-2341
villa@icon.co.zw

Rod Campbell
Tel: 497018

Mrs M A Campbell
Eight private cabins in Hillside
Tel: 747961

OTHER

Letter to the Parents of Students of Falcon College:

Dear Parents

In acknowledging that conditions in Zimbabwe at present are far from normal and that rumours are rife I felt it necessary to give you some facts:

There has been one incident in our surrounding area involving poachers, game guards and squatters. This appears to have been resolved by the farmer and quick reaction by the Police. Our local farmers are all back on their farms.

We have established a security committee including Board members, Staff and CFU. Our aim is to ensure that the College continues to operate as normally as possible under safe and secure conditions, whilst being prepared for every eventuality.

College opens at 12.00 noon on Sunday 7 May. I undertake to keep you regularly informed of the situation through a "cell" network which I am establishing at present.Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time should you seek information. We are looking forward to a challenging and rewarding term.

Thank you for your support.
PN Todd
HEADMASTER