via Churches on “unholy” Grace evictions New Zimbabwe 19/01/2015
CHURCHES are investigating the “unholy” evictions of over 150 families and the demolition of their homes at Arnold Farm in Mazowe by the police, a leading cleric has said.
Heavily armed police details two weeks ago descended on the farm and mercilessly demolished the villagers’ homes.
Reports said the evictions were at the behest of the First Lady Grace Mugabe who intends to turn the farm into a private game park. Government later denied the reports saying she had nothing to do with the act.
However the displaced families are now living in makeshift tents made of plastics and their future is uncertain.
Zimbabwe Council of Churches President Bishop Ishmael Mukwanda told Newzimbabwe.com Monday that the Churches were gathering facts with the aim of compiling a comprehensive report on the human rights violations.
Bishop Mukwanda said “the Church is not happy with the “unholy” evictions adding that Church leaders were going to meet “this week and deliberate on these disturbing reports we are getting mainly from the media”.
He said: “At the moment we are gathering facts because we want to base our report on real facts.”
The demolitions were roundly condemned across the globe and the villagers eventually took government to court which ordered the authorities to stop the evictions until an alternative place to accommodate the victims was found.
But indications are that government wants to appeal against the court interdict and go ahead with the evictions. Last week the state media reported that government had taken over the farm and it would “soon” move the animals there.
Villagers Monday said they were exposed to a potential health hazard emanating from the non-availability of toilets which were destroyed during the clampdown.
The local MP Fortune Chasi on Monday said he was unsure of the future of the victims although he said he felt for them.
The evictions were condemned by civil society organisations who have since told the government to respect human rights.
COMMENTS