CFU - Farm Invasion Report - 3 May 2000
COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION
INFORMATION ROOM
FARM INVASIONS UPDATE - 3 MAY 2000
The position regarding the invoking of Presidential Powers is of
considerable concern but we are unable to comment fully until such time
as we are aware of what His Excellency, President Mugabe intends to do
with those powers. We are watching the situation closely, have taken
the necessary advice and will brief you accordingly.
REGIONAL REPORTS
Mashonaland Central
The demands being made by war vets and ZANU PF supporters on invaded
farms have escalated dramatically since the beginning of the Mayday
Holiday weekend. In the early phase of the campaign, demands were
generally limited to water, firewood, maize meal and occasionally fuel.
"Phase two" of the campaign, which involves the political "re-education"
on farm workers has been accompanied by an escalation in demands. War
Vets / ZANU PF have demanded that farmers provide food and transport for
the numerous rallies that are taking lace. The demands are accompanied
by threats that non-compliance could lead to escalation in "problems".
In the case of vehicles required for transporting people to rallies,
several farmers have been warned that if they do not comply, the vehicle
would be destroyed. As a result, many farmers have conceded to these
demands. Over the past two days, these demands have been expanded to
include accommodation for the War Vets / ZANU PF resident on the
occupied farms.
Centenary:-
Vuka Farm is back to normal. There is a large rally at
Mavuradonha Farm. The war vets have demanded use of the guest cottage.
The farmer of Errol Farm was required to supply a 7 tonne vehicle to
ferry people. The vehicle has been involved in an accident at Rushinga
and is severely damaged.
Horseshoe:-
The area is generally quiet, but a farmer has been told to
provide adequate accommodation or the resident war vets will take over
his home.
Mvurwi:-
There are concurrent rallies at Forrester "H" and Eastwolds
Farm. The farmers and surrounding farmers have been required to supply
maize meal, meat and transport. The farmer of Arda Farm in Mvurwi has
had to provide the use of his seven tonne lorry consistently since the
beginning of the Mayday holiday weekend.
Tsatsi:-
There was a large rally at Gem Farm yesterday. The farmers
were required to supply 3 head of cattle, 7 sheep as well as maize meal
and transport. Pegging continues on several farms in the area.
Mazowe / Concession:-
The owner and family of Pearson Farm have still
not managed to return to their home nearly one month after they vacated
for safety reasons. Work is in progress on the farm, but he is being
prevented form planting a wheat crop.
Glendale:-
Generally quiet, but Chabara Farm has been asked to sign an
'agreement' to hand over 15ha of the farm.
Harare West:-
A group of over 100 is gathering at Komani Estates for a
rally. There is significant movement on the road past Lowdale Farm, but
it is thought that there is ritual activity at the Mbuya Nehanda site by
Mazowe Dam. Much of the disruption in the area is thought to be
instigated by spiritual leaders.
Other areas have been generally quiet and only one case of assault has
been reported over the last 24 hours.
Mashonaland West North
There has been 1 new invasion in Tengwe today. There has been a bit more
activity in Banket and Trelawney. Poaching is ongoing in the Region and
massive stoppages of land prep for wheat are continuing.
Mashonaland West South
Threats are ongoing throughout the region and some farms have been
vacated. There is ongoing pegging in the region, and an increase in
poaching in the Chegutu area. One farmer has received serious death
threats, and the labour force on Makwiro Source is being intimidated.
Mashonaland East
There is a rogue group of war vets in the Macheke/Virginia area at the
moment trying to destabilise the situation but the local war vet leader
has been very helpful.
A group of 300 has invaded Vilendy Farm (Marondera), pegged the ploughed
lands for next year, and the farmer has been advised that trees are to
be cut down for building etc. There has been a threatened invasion in
Marondera, and a farmer has had 40 beasts demanded of him.
Demands have been made on Chiparawe farm in Marondera north, but the
situation has now been defused.
In Featherstone 8 properties were visited and pegged today (Kurumba B,
Mondoro, Dova, Kurumba A, Rainbow, Philipsdale, Francia, New Brooklyn).
The owner of Devonia is back on-farm.
In the Bromley/Ruwa area substantial huts continue to go up, farmers
have been told to remove cattle from the invaded paddocks and in the
Epworth and Airport area residential plots are being pegged and sold for
between $100 to $300.
In Wedza there are problems relating to Dean Farm. At the time of
writing the situation has not yet been defused.
6 farms in Harare South were invaded today (Dunlace, Breamar, Dunottar,
Tantallon, Candor, Edinburgh). On Dunottar a land of Rhodes grass seed
combined with hay still standing was set alight. Whether this was
accidental or deliberate is unknown.
In Beatrice 5 new properties were invaded (Rocklands, New Retreat,
Adlam's Rest, Zanka, Argyle)
Manicaland
There were 3 new invasions in Nyazura today, 3 in Old Mutare, 1 in
Chimanimani, and 1 reinvasion in Old Mutare.
Matabeleland
There were 4 new invasions in the region today.
Masvingo
Quiet.
Midlands
There have been new invasions throughout the region, numbers and details
of which are unknown at the time of writing. Many verbal death threats
have been received.
LEGAL
ACCOMMODATION and OTHER
Maria Stevens urgently requires pots, pans, cutlery, kitchen utensils.
Anyone who can help, please contact Nicky at CFU on 309800-19.
- - -
House for rent in Mandara, avail. 1 June
Phone Jill Ross
079-24104
023 815174
- - -
Audrey and Peter Banks - house in Highlands (1 double, 1 twin, 1 single
bedroom). No animals.
Tel: 746079 (bus)
496016 (res)
- - -
Mrs Taylor
2 rooms available in Mt Pleasant
Tel: 302907
- - -
Seed Co are organising a stress relief hospitality tent at the Castle
Tankard on Saturday 6 May for their seed growers. Anyone interested
should contact Eileen Hartman at Seed Co.
End