via Black-on-black farm violence erupts | The Zimbabwean 22 July 2014
In spite of a government announcement that land invasions are over, a new wave of violent black-on-black occupations is underway.
Violence broke out in Masvingo last Saturday when people purporting to be war veterans besieged Sundowns Farm owned by Tsaurai Lawrence Stemere (76), resulting in another farmer, Mufaro Mukaro, being struck with an axe. He was hospitalised at Ndanga Hospital where he is battling for his life.
Zanu (PF) spokesperson Rugare Gumbo said: “We are clear on the issue of invasions. Whether it’s war veterans or any other people, we do not condone illegal farm invasions, more so when they are black on black. It is unacceptable. There must be some people who are abusing the war veterans tag. If they are indeed war veterans, it is possible they are being used by some forces we don’t know.”
Reports indicate that Stemere, who said he bought his farm in 1995, survived the attack but his Nissan Twin Cab and farmhouse were burnt and he lost property worth an estimated $70,000.
He fled the scene after the attackers barricaded the road to his farm with tree branches and started hurling stones at the farm occupants. Mukaro was hit with an axe as he sat in his car and had to be rushed to hospital with the weapon stuck in the head.
The 10 assailants were arrested. They had reportedly accused the two farmers of underutilising their land. Masvingo North legislator, Davis Marapira, confirmed the incident, saying government was against the invasion of black-owned farms.
Some senior army and government officials have refused to vacate conservancies and properties they illegally occupied, saying there should be a land audit to fish out multiple farm owners first.
COMMENTS
Comrades, theft is theft, whichever way you try to window dress it, if someone buys and pays for an item, be it land, business premise or a loaf of bread, whether he is black or white he has the right to retain it, if a tsotsi comes and takes it without paying for it – this my comrades is known as theft!!!!!Our Lord and Saviour does NOT condone theft, He is a just and righteous God, who has ultimate authority on earth and in heaven….We need to pray for our nation…for deliverance from this disease of entitlement to someone elses possessions because we envy them….Read Micah 2 v 1-7….we the people of Zimbabwe regardless of race or language deserve a better future…..lets not live in the past but concentrate on the future…
Whoever said there was honour among thieves?
“we do not condone illegal farm invasions, MORE SO when they are black on black. It is unacceptable.” So illegal farm invasions are quite ok on whites?? MMMMM ok.
So much for addressing the colonial wrongs. Now they are turning on each other? The 1st phase was to kick out the white farmers & phase 2 is kick each other out. Mission accomplished!
Ha ha ha what a circus and so typical of Africa, so this is how you deal with someone under utilising their private property?
Munotisekesa imi vanhu imi!!! Sukanini mhani!!!
Zimbabwe is eating the harvest of what they have sown. You cannot deprive some people of their rights without depriving everybody. Land theft by the violent from the peaceful is never going to be a winning plan. And yet the stupidity carries on and on.
We are black for a reason and this is it, we are lights out. Lets swallow our pride and beg the white man to come back and lead us, we thought we could rule a nation but we just don`t have what it takes.. Lets stick to what we are good at, being workers.
There is no reason why people with darker skins cannot run a country. Brains and common sense have no connection to skin colour.
One problem in Zimbabwe is that many of those with ability and initiative are in the diaspora.
But there are also a million traders. Some of these will make a success of their businesses and grow them into substantial companies. Experience of running a business is the best base for running an economy.
Part of the Mugabe problem is that (like many first-generation post-colonial leaders) he is heavily influenced by Marxism and so has no understanding of business or the economy.
Don Cox Thank you for your honest comment. This will go along way to a few of my fellow countrymen who have been made to feel like they are not worth it. That is why on this debate we need a variety of people with honest opinions. Respect to you.
@Zim Patriot-well said.This will not end up with farm invasion only until the government wakes up and takes decisive action against these ruthless war vets.Mr Gumbo should not claim that he was not aware of it when this is happening on daily basis with some farmers losing their lives.No life is less important than another regardless of its race or tribe.We are all created in the image of our Creator,therefore treat every life as unique and important.My fear is that these guys will one day move to the towns to claim big houses for themselves if the masses fail to stand firm against their evil actions.Why axe somebody for not utilising his land when the authorities could punish him using the legal methods?Only barbarians use this barbaric method of settling minor misunderstandings.
Ashamed Zimbabwean you sell yourself short. That right there is the problem that we have in Zimbabwe. What you suggest is not the solution. The solution for the upteenth time is the departure of those that currently rule. Of course our White fellow country men are wanted back. They are not stupid and they know about the mistakes of the past. After all which group hasn’t made mistakes. What I, and I have to assume a lot of people would like to see is all groups Black, White, Asian and people of Mixed race taking their rightful places in the economy and the running of Zimbabwe. Where a person can vote for who he or she wants without fear or favour.Where you can criticize the leaders without being arrested. Where the Police are the Servants of the people and not the Masters. Where the Police protect and defend the innocent and bring the criminals to Justice whether they are Politicians, leaders or not. In simple language where the system embraces, respects and practices the rule of Law and freedom of speech and association.
Dr Do Little….. you have my vote.
Gukurahundism runs in their blood for sure. Its part of their DNA!!
Sensible as always Dr Doolittle. What I wonder is how the perpetrators of this crime were arrested immediately but we still have had no follow-up on the murderers of the white farmer and his daughter.
Angela Wigmore be rest assured that Justice will come for the likes of Martin and Gloria Old who were a pillar in the Matebeleland region. The crime you talk about will also be exposed for what it is. I believe in God and I believe all these people including Talent Mabika will get their Justice. There are people out there that saw what happened and I cannot blame them for being afraid to speak.This is a brutal regime.
I hope you are right Dr.DL. I also liked your response to Don Cox.