CFU Update - 1 May 2000
COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION
INFORMATION ROOM
FARM INVASIONS UPDATE - 1ST MAY, 2000.
GENERAL
The Stress Seminar, details of which were advised yesterday, will be
held on Friday 12th May, 2000 at the CFU between 9.00am and 4.00pm.
There will be no charge for the Seminar as all participants, Doctors and
Psychologists have offered their services free.
There is a meeting taking place today in Mash East (Featherstone)
between War Vets and farmers today.
Central Mashonaland
Harare West - Kumani Estate - Howard Norman - rose vehicle stopped,
windows smashed, tyres punctured. Driver assaulted and missing.
Lowdale - Mick Townsend - 350 demonstrating within the fence yesterday -
now defused.
Matabeleland
A meeting was held yesterday in Nyamandhlovu at Red Bank School between
war vets and farmers. This morning when farmers went out to the
Nyamandhlovu area some 12 000 acres had been pegged between Ulundei farm
and Pontnydd and Red Leaf farm. There were 7 or 8 war veterans present,
no aggression took place. There were 3 vehicles, a landrover, Datusun
and blue Mazda, which had been used to transport the vets. No sign of
any weapons. Most other areas quiet.
Nsiza a GAPWUZ member was assaulted for being a member of MDC.
Two properties Bulemba Estate (J Goddard) and Centre Bank Estate (Sher
Brothers) specifically targeted. Threatened to burn tractors as they had
been used to ferry people to MDC meetings.
Inspector Mudede from Fort Rixon police station sent a Stick into the
resettlement and had a further Stick standing by in case of need.
A meeting between Mr J Taylor and war vets. was held on his property
this morning. 14 people attended, including 3 women. No aggression and
no firearms. The meeting was described as a cordial chat about the
future.
Springs Ranch, Umzingwane (Biffen). Mr Biffen went into the bush this
morning and came across 20 war vets - all holding war vets cards. No
firearms were visible and the attitude was non-aggressive but they
wanted land. A meeting has been agreed between Mr Biffen's Manager and
the war vets at 10.00am on Wednesday.
New invasion on Klipfontein farm (J Rosenfels) in the irrigation
section. Small group of 8 people - no arms, no aggression.
Manicaland
Headlands new walk on at Nyohubu Farm (Holme) 4 people had been there
before and a further 8 arrived today. Pegging land, very amicable and
communications developed with Farm Manager.
A new invasion took place yesterday in Burma Valley on Burma Estates
(Sutcliffe). 40 people are involved but no aggression has been shown.
One labourer was beaten yesterday in Old Mutare - no further details
available. A walk on has been threatened on Rob Francklin's farm in Old
Mutare.
Mashonaland East
Owen Connor was hassled this morning with "war vets" demanding a beast
or else his farm would be trashed. District Task Force defused the
problem.
Strathlawn farm - J Cameron: 3 senior staff abducted and taken to
Ivordale Camp. District Task Force followed up and the three were
released but had been brought to the camp for allegedly causing the
dismissal of 1 employee on the basis that he was a war vet (found to be
untrue).
Bromley - new invasions continue with crowd of 200 weekenders on
Albaleigh farm - Mark Hutchins, armed with axes and hoes for cutting
trees and cultivating land.
Tulichewan - K Burton - 40 moved on, cutting down trees and building
substantial housing.
Harare Airport - Butler Farms (Draycott Farm - John Butler) unknown
number +\- 30 moved onto Seke side of farm.
Danny Delport, Excelsior Farm, approached by one individual to buy land
and threatened major invasion if agreement not reached. Delport
expressed willingness to sell 2.5ha, subject to letter of no present
interest and proviso that right is reserved to cancel agreement at any
time prior to final payment.
General Comments
Task Force does have merit.
Unrelenting demands and threats continue on farmers.
3 new invasions, despite agreement not to.
It is of grave concern that people are now building substantial huts
using farm timber resources and building in places that may never be
part of the land reform programme in an unplanned manner.
Midlands
Mutorashanga - fairly quiet. A planned rally by ZCTU has been cancelled.
Mr F. Erasmus of Bunya Farm Chinhoyi was approached this morning and
told to move his 300 cattle off the farm and that he had until August to
move off himself. There have been about 20 "war vets" on the farm for
six weeks but no problems experienced until today.
A new invasion took place on Olympus farm (Dilmitis) as of this morning.
About 10 people involved - not aggressive at this time.
Long Valley farm in Umboe area (A White) new invasion about 7 people
with more to come. Not aggressive.
Doma fairly quiet, although a few new invasions reported since yesterday
afternoon.
Hill Top Farm (Murray Pott) new invasion yesterday afternoon. Pegged
farm and told him not to prepare or grow any crops as the farm was going
to be taken over. Some labourers were forced to peg land, There are
about 15 people involved. Problem to identify who is who - new invasions
appear to be politically motivated - usually at least one "war vet"
involved.
Two farms are being prevented from planting wheat Kuti (A Purkiss) and
Pirigngani (J Brown).
Efforts being made to get some representation from War Vets but no
success for the past six days as cannot locate the vets.
Movement of war vets in the Somabhula/Shurugwi area but have not moved
on to farms. War Veterans and Kwekwe farmers had a very useful meeting
and will set up a Support Committee to solve problems in the area
Mash West North
Mr A P R Stidolph, Grand Parade Farm, Karoi North, invaders arrived
today. Situation calm, police have reacted. War vets want land signed
over to them.
Mash West South
Idaho Farm, Norton, gang of ZANU/PF Youths threatening to burn down the
homestead. Police have reacted.
Three new farm invasions - Concession Hill (Gundry) - 7 people -
peaceful.
Merton Farm, Norton 40 - 50 people
Chegutu - Bosury Farm 150 people pegging on fringes of farm which border
the town. Pegging out plots for homes.
Told by a War Veteran that they have been instructed to occupy all farms
if possible - including black owned farms.
Masvingo
All quiet.