Commercial Farmers'
Union Information Room Farm Invasions Update - 24 April
2000
Monday, 24 April, 2000 Mashonaland
East Five farms in south west Wedza are in a volatile situation. A
tractor and trailer with about 25 "war vets" is touring five farms,
other groups include numbers of up to 120 "war vets". A great deal of
skull bashing of labour underway. Three workers seriously injured on
Chard Farm; unknown number on Dean Farm where there was an armed attack.
Russell Tapson (Dean) had a tobacco bulk store burned down (house OK).
Police in area. Labour having a tough time on Beer, Oklahoma and
Tottness Farms. One labourer abducted on Beer Farm, apparent MDC
supporter. Mashonaland East had a meeting with war vets and FA Chairmen
today. A provincial Taskforce and a District Taskforce have been set up
to look at the way forward on land reform. Mr John Parkin was the
informal chairman, Guy Watson-Smith represented the farmers and Mr
Ndumo, who is the vice-Charmin of Mash East War Veterans Association,
represented the war vets. A member of the ZANU (PF) Central
Committee also attended this meeting. New invasion - Harare
South Amalinda Farm, 50 plus. Peaceful, asked to see farm map, went to
see labour. Manager Martin Harrison left farm and reported from Harare.
(Owner Peter Huddy away). Arthur Baisley reports Macheke/Virginia OK but
"war vets" making a lot of demands (foodwise).
Enterprise - Big group arrived at Lonely Park. Message conveyed
to officer in charge to tell the owner to not come back. However,
farming has been ongoing since he left. Chifumbi Farm, Mr
Nortier - very demanding and threatening situation. Demands include
clothing and food. Mukwene Farm - there is a large group of war vets who
said they would demonstrate to the manager what treatment they give to
people who do not co-operate.
Mashonaland West
(N) Ridings School NOT invaded. Tengwe Zanu-PF rally - normal
mud slinging. 1000 people attended.
Chinhoyi -
Highbury Estate - as perceived to be British owned, extra pressure was
brought on to this estate today. All okay. A tense situation in
Doma North on Chipunga Farm. Neighbours have been of assistance in
this situation.
Mashonaland West (S) Quiet.
Matabeleland Quiet.
Masvingo Save Valley Conservancy - invasion on Levanga Ranch. War
vets told the people maintaining the veterinary and buffalo fences to
leave. They also told the caretaker of one of the lodges to
vacate. A meeting has been arranged for tomorrow between police, war
vets and farmers to try defuse the situation. There has been an
upsurge of poaching recently and there is concern the large number of
black rhino in this conservancy could be taken out.
Midlands Three death threats in the province. Manjere
Ranches at Mberengwe/Zvishavane homestead occupied by war vets and
supporters. ZRP cleared them out and told them not to return.
Shurugwi - 60 invaders on Edward's Farm - 10 armed (AKs, 303s); pegged
lands. At Beacon Kop 100 invaders, occupied staff quarters,
pegging.
Mashonaland Central Mvurwi - 40 farmers
evacuated farms as a result of armed incursions on to Forrester Estates.
Duncan Hamilton and the two ladies are okay. There were approximately
1000 people, 20 to 30 of them being war vets, the rest from nearby
communal areas. The war vets are mobile and have invaded another
6-8 farms today. As the farmers were not on farm, the invaders
moved on to the next farm. Horseshoe Area - Edmunstone Farm: lorry
stolen, farm occupied (Fred Williamson, owner) moved on to Gurungwe
Farm. Tsatsi - Des Martin unable to return to Mountain Home Farm due to
a war vet road block on Chadesly Road. In Mazowe, Makalanga Farm
(Peter MacDonald) visited by ZANU-PF who demanded all MDC cards to be
handed in by workers. MacDonald had to refund workers joining
fee. Glendale - On Sunday at approximately 1500hrs 50 "war vets"
visited Villa Franca, intimidated workers and took away opposition T
shirts. Moved to Satchel, Heyshott and Wooler Farms doing the
same. TAKE NOTE: NEW TACTIC. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: On the last two
farms "war vets" arrived in MDC T shirts; they were welcomed by the
workers who then realized that they had been deceived. "War
vets" have vowed to return today. ZANU PF also moving around
intimidating. Other regions need to be warned of this new tactic. Shamva
- all work stopped on Lions Den Farm, Annadale and Rutherdale. Combines
have been stopped (threats to burn them); farmers told to stop land
preparation for wheat.
ACCOMMODATION: Time share Vic. Falls 30
April - 7 MAY. Contact Tony Robertson 011.600.533