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COMMERCIAL
FARMERS' UNION
Farm Invasions and Security Report
Thursday 26th July
2001
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This report does not purport to cover all the incidents that are taking
place in the commercial farming areas. Communication problems, the fear of
reprisals and matters of higher priority prevent farmers from reporting all that
happens. Farmers names, and in some cases farm names, are omitted to minimise
the risk of reprisals.
NATIONAL REPORT IN BRIEF:
The owner and his
family of Sandringham Farm in Nyabira were severely beaten and their dogs killed
by a large group of aggressive illegal occupiers.
2 farm workers were
assaulted by illegal occupiers on Rusimbiro in Harare South and medial reports
given to the police.
PLEASE NOTE: Illegal occupiers occupying commercial
properties in Mwenezi South of the Bubi River on the main Masvingo / Beit Bridge
Road are reported to have been stopping and robbing vehicles. These people have
been wearing police reflective uniforms and motorists should be cautioned.
REGIONAL REPORTS:
There were no reports received from Matabeleland
Region.
Mashonaland Central
Horseshoe - There has been an increase
in tree cutting and hut building. Ternanog was fast tracked. A large group of
illegal occupiers gathered outside the homestead on Camsasa, chanting and
shouting until late evening after finding that the farm owner was absent when
they demanded to see him. Illegal occupiers threatened to shut down Nyamsewe
Farm in retaliation for the arrest of illegal occupiers who had assaulted a farm
driver. The accused illegal occupiers had, in fact, paid admission of guilt
fines and the situation on the farm is now quiet. Illegal occupiers on Rungudzi
demanded that the owner remove his bulls from a paddock in which they intend to
build huts. The DA visited Nyamfuta and Rushpeak to advise the owners that the
farms will be shut down at the end of the season. Tobacco grading has been
permitted but no further land preparation is to be carried out on these
farms.
Victory Block - The DA advised the owner of Mutendamambo that the farm
will not continue to operate this year and the owner notified farm workers to
the effect, giving them 30 days notice of retrenchment. The farm workers have
been referred to the DA by illegal occupiers to establish their future. 100 ha
of grazing was accidentally burnt out on the farm by illegal occupiers clearing
land to build a homestead. This fire spread to Under Cragg damaging part of a
gum plantation and illegal occupiers complained that thatching grass had been
burned in the process of back-burning to control the fire. Illegal occupiers on
Msitwe River Ranch broke into the workshop area in response to the owner's
refusal to leave the farm by September. Farm workers reacted and the owner had
to intervene to defuse the situation. Police were advised. Rural District
Councillor Hombasha, ordered the burning of about 100 ha on Muir of Ord so that
plots could be allocated. Large amounts of fencing has been stolen and
re-erected around plots in a land prepared for tobacco. Only tobacco grading is
taking place on the farm at present. Illegal occupiers responsible for evicting
elderly parents of the owner of Rusumbi remain to be charged, yet the farm guard
who was assaulted at the time has had to pay a fine. DDF tractors are ploughing
on Disi and scotch carts are removing indigenous timber on a daily basis, while
cattle are being driven onto the farm and poaching of fish and game
continue.
Mvurwi - The situation at Hariana deteriorated further when an ALB
Representative who responded to the situation, was held hostage, until the
intervention of police in the afternoon. The owner and manager have not returned
to the farm and SPCA have removed small domestic animals. The situation remains
unresolved.
Shamva - Citrus picking at Nyamwanga, which was the last
remaining activity permitted, has now been prevented and illegal occupiers are
reaping and stealing the produce on a large scale. Illegal occupiers demanded
keys to a house on the farm so that they could move in. The owner declined and
called the police. Illegal occupiers then demanded police search the house, as
they believed that there was something dangerous inside. Police carried out a
search and found nothing. Agritex officials arrived to fast track the farm after
police left.
Mashonaland West North
Trelawney / Darwendale - The
owner of Vooruitzich Farm was prevented by illegal occupiers from laying out
irrigation pipes in tobacco lands. The grading sheds on Maponda, Harefield and
Shirleigh Farm have been completely shut down.
Banket - Illegal occupiers are
moving onto Mapandaguta.
Chinhoyi - 2 illegal occupiers moved into a
homestead on Long Valley Farm and the owner reported the incident to the police.
2 cows in calf were slaughtered on Highlands Farm. Illegal occupiers told the
owner of Kapfundi to remove his cattle off the farm as there was not enough
water for both the cattle and the illegal occupiers. The owner reported the
incident to Murureka police who refused to take a statement. Illegal occupiers
are moving cattle and goats on Maysma Farm and police refuse to react are siding
with the illegal occupiers.
Tengwe - Agritex officials pegged Taysa Farm and
told farm workers to vacate the farm village. Illegal occupiers are erecting
huts on Chobeni Farm.
Doma - A new group of illegal occupiers have moved onto
Chimanimani, Chipri and Chitatu. Work stoppages and building of huts is
occurring on these farms. Illegal occupiers are stealing oranges on Chipri Farm,
and snaring is occurring on all 3 farms. There is a minimum amount of reaction
and co-operation from police. Illegal occupiers are preventing the owner of
Revonia Farm from carrying out work on tobacco seedbeds and land preparation.
Illegal occupiers are building huts on Laramie Farm. The owner's court case was
thrown out of court due to lack of evidence.
Nyabira - The owner of
Sandringham Farm and his family were severely beaten and forcibly removed from
their farm after over an hour of interrogation and beatings by a large group of
aggressive illegal occupiers. This resulted from the owner and his wife
assisting Mr & Mrs Stobart-Vallaro in evacuating their homestead. The
illegal occupier wounded on Mr Stobart-Vallaro's farm is a relative of Mr
Chinotimba. Illegal occupiers killed the family's border collie dogs, despite
the family's effort to prevent it. Chinotimba has made it clear to the owner
that he has lost the farm. Police refuse to respond with offering armed
protection for the family. 6 illegal occupiers remain surrounding the homestead
and have warned the owner.
Mashonaland West South
General - Pegging
is taking place on farms irrespective of whether the farm is listed, unlisted or
conceded. All security and production issues, when reported to the police, are
referred directly to the DA.
Norton - Illegal occupiers continue to prevent
management on Serui Source Farm from taking anything onto or off the farm,
causing a great concern due to the lack of stock feed for the pigs. Police are
very evasive and refer matters to the DA, as does the Governor. Police refuse to
assist the owner of Wilbered Farm after illegal occupiers chased farm workers
off the farm, and no production is able to continue.
Chegutu - War vet
Chinotimba, went to Bonduelle factory and intervened in labour issues, creating
a lock-in for most of the night. A work stoppage occurred on Mendick Farm and
the owner has moved all cattle off, and is slaughtering all his sheep. On
Farnham the pigs which have been in the owners garden for a week now have been
allowed back into their sty's.
Chakari - Over 90% of white owned farms have
been pegged by Agritex and DDF. Farm owners have all been told by the lands
committee, chaired by the DA Kadoma, that they are not allowed to continue with
land preparation.
Mashonaland East
Beatrice - Illegal occupiers broke
down a fence on Silver Oak and have been holding all night pungwes. Only when 2
police details stayed on the property, did the pungwes cease. Illegal occupiers
approached the owner and asked to use his vehicle to go to Beatrice to get more
food as theirs had run out. At first the owner refused but when they threatened
to continue their all night pungwe, he let the driver take them to Beatrice.
Bromley / Ruwa / Enterprise - Section 5 Orders continue to be delivered.
Featherstone - An extra 24 illegal occupiers moved onto Versailles farm. The
owner of Gelukverwacht was asked by illegal occupiers to move cattle off the
farm.
Harare South - 2 farm workers were assaulted by illegal occupiers on
Rusimbiro. The farm workers obtained medical reports which they submitted to the
police. A vehicle with covered registration number plates drove through the boom
on Dunnotar farm, and cut the padlock on the boom when leaving the
farm.
Marondera North - A work stoppage occurred on Norfolk when illegal
occupiers destroyed some seedbeds. The situation was resolved. Cambridge farm is
still incurring a work stoppage. Most farmers in the area have commenced work
again.
Macheke / Virginia - Irrigation equipment was stolen from Blue Gums
farm. The owner of Shavanoya farm was told to vacate the farm within 30 days.
Farm workers on Mignon were instructed by illegal occupiers to vacate their
houses within 12 hours but there was no follow up to this demand. Farm workers
were further threatened the following day after the owner advised illegal
occupiers that the farm had been delisted and illegal occupiers proceeded to
physically assault farm workers that evening in the farm village. The owner of
Wheatlands was instructed to remove his cattle off the farm as they were
destroying illegal occupiers pegs. DDF drilling teams have been at work on Mug
and Craigielea farms. The owners of Bimi and Highlands had to remove cattle off
the farm due to demands from illegal occupiers.
Wedza - Several cattle have
been slashed by illegal occupiers on Saltash. The owner of Farm Bravo had to
move his cattle into a central area after illegal occupiers threatened him.
There are a still a number of farm workers who have not been able to return to
their homes after being chased out by illegal occupiers, and are currently
residing in a barn on the farm.
Manicaland
Nyazura - DDF tractors
are ploughing on Chingati Farm.
Mutare - Mr Phillip Bezuidenhout is due to
appear in court on the 1st August is applying for bail today. The owners of
Brooksville and Welverdein farms are farming from a distance. The owners of
Dairy Farm, Premier Estates and Green Valley are having to spend the evenings
away from the farm due to the situation being tense.
Chimanimani - An Israeli
girl has been missing in the Chimanimani mountains since Saturday 21st July
2001. Chimanimani farmers formed a search party as helicopters are unable to go
up in the present weather. The search party failed to find her and Chipinge
farmers formed another search party which also failed to find her. The parents
of the girl and the Israeli Ambassador are due to arrive in Chimanimani where
the search continues.
Chipinge - The occupants in 2 vehicles drove onto
Watershed Estate and proceeded to shout and tell the owner to get off the farm,
but when the farmer came out to talk to them the vehicle drove off. A cow was
slaughtered and another slashed by illegal occupiers on Groenvlei farm. Illegal
occupiers butchered a cow on Glenree farm. War vet leader, Andrew Ndlovu, posted
a sign in the local butchery issuing a death threat to all farmers. Illegal
occupiers stole a sheep and asbestos roofing from Wolfscrag
Farm.
Masvingo
General - In Chiredzi, DDF tractors are ploughing on
farms in the district and government drilling teams have had little success in
drilling boreholes. Many cattle are illegally being moved onto farms and threats
of damage to alleged illegal occupiers crops by owner’s cattle continue. Cattle
and game sections of Triangle Private Limited have been invaded. An illegal
occupier applied for electricity but was frightened off by the high installation
costs. Illegal occupiers are moulding bricks to build permanent structures.
Poaching and snaring has resulted in a total loss of game in some areas. Due to
massive increase in stock theft, there is added expense to farm owners of
kraaling and security guards.
Masvingo East & Central - There has been an
escalation in the numbers of illegal occupiers and veld fires on Pitlochrie
Farm. 13 head of cattle are missing on Lochinvar Farm. Illegal occupiers removed
the swimming pool pump, are dismantling a cottage situated next to the pool and
knocked down a shed.
Chiredzi - About 100 illegal occupiers accompanied by
police, demonstrated in front of Whitron Engineering complaining that their
choppers had been confiscated due to an incident on a surrounding farm. DDF
officials uplifted a monopump on Palm River Ranch and illegal occupier Makaro,
claimed it, stating the owner had given him the pump. He also claimed that
everything on the farm belonged to him. Makaro later admitted that he had taken
the monopump without anyone’s permission. A base commander delivered a letter to
the owner of Faversham Ranch demanding that owner give 10 head of cattle to each
illegal occupier on the property. The owner submitted the letter to the police.
Agritex officials are pegging Woodridge. Employees and their families from
Triangle and Hippo, are the main illegal occupiers on surrounding ranches.
Communal people are invading farms closer to communal lands. A veterinary
department official has put illegal occupiers on some farms for the sole purpose
of poaching. Contrary to the very strict rules of the Surveyor General’s
Department, unqualified people are being used to conduct official pegging and
surveying. 4 head of cattle are missing on Chingwisi Section Nuanetsi
Ranch.
Save Conservancy - Blatant poaching is occurring in the conservancy.
All 3 farms of the old Angus Ranch have been heavily invaded. Mkwasine Ranch was
almost completely burnt out. During a recent rhino ear notching exercise, a
rhino was seen snared and pulling a log. The rhino has not been located
yet.
Gutu / Chatsworth - Harassment to farmers by illegal occupiers to move
their cattle off farms or out of paddocks, tree cutting, ploughing, pegging and
poaching continue unabated. Government drilling teams were unsuccessful when
drilling a borehole on Merlin Farm. 5 structures have been erected by illegal
occupiers.
Mwenezi - Illegal occupiers are obtaining cattle movement permits
with ease allowing them to move cattle anywhere they please and using the
permits to authorise stock theft. Gwanda provincial veterinary office are
confused with the area brands, which are being put onto cattle in anticipation
of the agreement over movement of veterinary areas. This is also assisting stock
thieves who are obtaining export permits to Mozambique. A Beitbridge Agritex
official, Farmer Malagise, is pegging "stands" on Swanscoe and Safari Ranch and
illegal occupier Makado is selling "stands" on Swanscoe. About 70 head of red
zone cattle were moved onto Bar G Ranch without a permit. The owner of Mkumi
Ranch declined a Section 5 Preliminary Notice which government officials tried
to serve him, as the farm listed is not the portion he owns, although it is
called Mkumi. The officials left the letter lying on the ground outside the
owner's homestead gate. An illegal occupier is claiming compensation from the
owner of Sonop Ranch after his donkey died.
Midlands
Gweru - Veld
fires, started by illegal occupiers, are still a major problem.
Gweru East /
Lalapanzi - Illegal occupiers on one farm, who have been destroying fences and
cutting wood on a neighbouring farm to build houses, have been told they are
doing wrong by the police.
Kwe Kwe - Irrigation pipes have been stolen from
Louville Estates. A meeting held on Bonsted resulted in farm workers being told
that they are to be moved to another area. Farm workers complained, saying their
ancestors were buried on the farm from 40 years ago. The DA informed them that
the remains of their ancestors would be dug up, and they could take them to
their new area. Barn doors were broken down, electrical equipment stripped and
stolen and police responded quickly, and apprehended the suspects. A teenager
from the farm village was buried in the farm cemetery. The war lord on the farm
ordered the body be uplifted and removed as it had been buried on his plot. The
locals resisted the order. A meeting was held on the farm, with about 150
attendants from farms and resettlement, who were wanting to know about their
plots. Illegal occupiers complained that their plots had been sold by the DA to
Mbizo and Amaveni township folk. They then wanted to slay the DA. The DA advised
them that it was the previous DA who had done this. A bulldozer was hired, from
a heavy equipment operator by a town businessman and about 10 ha of prime forest
was destroyed for bush clearing. The DA and DDF officials pegged plots of about
50 x 100 metres in size around the perimeter of farm lands on Belgrave farm. 64
plots have so far been allocated, and are waiting for the winter crop to be
taken off. The DA and DDF officials informed the owner of Forestvale that the
farm was to be pegged and that they will not be allowed to plant a summer crop
and must leave. Surveying of plots is taking place. 250 head of cattle belonging
to the owner of Luzane were forcibly removed by illegal occupiers onto a
neighbouring farm, causing the death of 2 head of cattle which were
snared.
Somabhula - A beef producer has been told to move all his cattle off
the farm.
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COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION
Farm Invasions and Security Report
Monday
23rd July 2001
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This report does not purport to cover all the incidents that are taking
place in the commercial farming areas. Communication problems, the fear of
reprisals and matters of higher priority prevent farmers from reporting all that
happens. Farmers names, and in some cases farm names, are omitted to minimise
the risk of reprisals.
NATIONAL REPORT IN BRIEF:
Demands on farmers
and workers to vacate their properties are being reinforced by barricading them
into homesteads for up to 5 days and the driving of livestock into the security
fenced area. Farmers so barricaded are subjected to continuous harassment by
singing, drum beating, stones on the roof and many more.
Fires have burnt
extensive areas of grazing and timber.
Interference with dipping and grazing
procedures is hampering cattle management and culminating on demands for the
stock to be removed from the farm entirely.
REGIONAL REPORTS:
There
were no reports received from Matabeleland Region.
Mashonaland Central
Victory Block - Illegal occupiers demanded that the owner of Msitwe River
Ranch move off the farm by September.
Mvurwi - Cattle belonging to the owner
of Msonneddi were driven by illegal occupiers into their crops in order to claim
compensation for crop damage. Illegal occupiers retained 8 head of cattle in
exchange for compensation. Illegal occupiers damaged seedbed tents on Vigilia.
100 ha of grazing was burnt by illegal occupiers on Wendiri. Work on seedbeds at
Mandindindi was prevented, when illegal occupiers threatened to destroy plastic
covers. Illegal occupiers accused the owner of Welmode of destroying a patch of
beans allegedly planted in a land recently harrowed. Farm workers went on strike
at Hariana when a labour dispute blew out of proportion, causing a total work
stoppage. The owner and manager were forced to vacate the farm for safety
reasons. ALB and NEC have intercepted.
Mutepatepa - Illegal occupiers
intervened in a labour dispute on Brockley and barricaded the owner in his
homestead. ALB and NEC responded and resolved the matter. Illegal occupier
Chimbondi, lost control of a fire on Dundry resulting in about 100 ha of grazing
and gum plantation being destroyed, damage to a borehole and telephone lines.
Chimbondi has been trying to gain access to a game conservancy in the area so he
can build houses on it.
Shamva - About 20 illegal occupiers continue to steal
oranges on Nyamwanga farm in the evenings. A farm security guard caught an
illegal occupier and police reacted and arrested her. That afternoon, about 20
illegal occupiers assaulted 2 farm guards and told them the farm belonged to
them as did the oranges and then marched them to a neighbouring farm and told
them not to return or they would be killed. A report was made to the police.
Illegal occupiers continue to restrict grazing areas for cattle and only the
owner’s cows remain on the farm.
Mashonaland West North
Chinhoyi -
Agritex officials pegged 90 ha on Glenside Farm with intention to peg the other
half at a later date. CID visited the owner of Portelet Estate carrying a search
warrant for firearms. The owner produced his licence, which was in order. A
poacher was caught on Magog Farm and when the owner tried to drive the accused
to the police station, illegal occupiers barricaded the owner in the security
fence. The owner drove through the gate and the accused is due to appear in
court shortly. The manager of Koodoovale Farm was accused of pointing a firearm
at illegal occupiers and arrested.
Lions Den - Illegal occupiers are burning
large amounts of grazing on farms in the area.
Banket - Banket police and the
chief war vet visited the owner of Wonnock Glen and accused the owner of
disrupting the land resettlement exercise, and would now be bringing 65 families
with a chief to settle on the farm. Lion Kop has recently been pegged and the
owner was told that he would have to negotiate with illegal occupiers if he
wishes to grow tobacco.
Trelawney / Darwendale - About 32 aggressive illegal
occupiers prevented work on Wichens Farm. About 12 aggressive drunk illegal
occupiers from Shirleigh and Mpanda farms forced their way through the security
gate, threatened and demanded that the owner of Harefield farm stop work and
vacate the farm as it now belonged to them. Police responded.
Doma - The
owner of Makamba Farm was assaulted and beaten by illegal occupiers after he
refused to give them about 2200 litres of free fuel. Illegal occupiers demanded
that the owner of Makoppa Farm remove all cattle off the farm.
Karoi - About
48 illegal occupiers instructed farm workers to vacate their homes on Dixie
Farm. Illegal occupiers then persuaded 90% of the farm workers to demand
gratuities from the owner and demand to be employed as casual workers. The owner
was then held hostage in the workshop area for 2 hours. Police were informed and
took 2 hours to respond. About 50 farmers in the district responded to the call
and waited on the main road for backup after being told illegal occupiers had
threatened the owner’s life if farmers responded and verbally abused the owner’s
wife who was barricaded in the farm homestead. NEC and ALB are dealing with farm
workers demands. Illegal occupiers and farm workers from Dixie proceeded to
Peveril Farm with the same intentions and proceeded to set up a roadblock on the
Majunge Road to prevent farmers in the district from responding. Police were
notified but were unable to respond due to lack of transport and 2 details were
collected from the police station. Police were confronted with about 30 illegal
occupiers at the roadblock and refused to make an arrest, due to it being a
political situation. About 120 illegal occupiers started a fire on Chiuwa farm
in a maize land that the owner was combining. Despite fireguards, about 60 ha of
maize was burnt and a large area of grazing. A report was made to the police.
Illegal occupiers on Kankombe Farm continue to demand that the owner remove
about 550 head of cattle off the farm and refuse to allow the owner to dip or to
remove about 60 weaners. The DA agreed to the dipping and if need be, support
unit will make sure the owner is able to dip cattle. About 100 illegal occupiers
are currently occupying Moyale Farm and when 9 of them were found at an
irrigation pump, the owner was threatened and told to vacate the farm within 48
hours. Illegal occupiers moved about 50 head of cattle onto homestead garden.
There has been an increase of maize theft, irrigation piping and tree cutting,
with no response from police. About 40 illegal occupiers herded cattle off Moy
Farm onto the main Kariba road and prevented the owner from moving them back.
The owner made a report to the police, who refused to respond, and the owner has
had to relocate his cattle. 600 ha of grazing was burnt and a water trough
destroyed on Kupeta Farm by illegal occupiers. The owner has filed 11 reports to
police with regards to theft of fencing, maize, tree felling, stock feed and
irrigation pipes, and 13 reports related to work stoppages, verbal abuse, death
threats and demands to vacate the farm by illegal occupiers. Police refuse to
respond. Illegal occupiers set fire to grazing paddocks on The Ridges. The
incident was reported to police who refused to respond. Illegal occupiers burnt
a further 100 ha of grazing and gum plantations, resulting in half the farm
being destroyed by fire. Police refuse to respond, as they say orders must come
from the DA to stop these activities.
Mashonaland West South
Chakari
- Agritex officials moved onto Newbiggin Farm and pegged in cattle paddocks. An
aggressive illegal occupier leader demanded that the owner remove cattle out of
the paddocks as this was now "their property", and that the owner must vacate
his homestead.
Norton - The owner of Serui Source has been unable to remove
anything off the property. In an attempt to resolve the situation, the owner met
with the second in command of Norton police and illegal occupiers from the farm.
Immediately after the meeting the owner was arrested and charged with inciting
violence. The owner was made to share a cell with 14 others and 7 blankets to
share between them. The following day, police countered the bail application in
the Norton Magistrates Court on the grounds that "he was on the run", and would
abscond. After several hours the owner was given bail under stringent
conditions. Illegal occupiers chased farm workers off Wilbered Farm. Police have
responded twice, but the threats continue. The owner, who is over 80 years old,
is unable to continue farming operations after receiving death threats from
illegal occupiers.
Kadoma - Agritex officials pegged Hellaby Farm and
illegal occupiers prevented the owner from giving stover to his
cattle.
Chegutu - Police and lands committee refuse to respond to the report
made by the owner of Farnham Farm, where illegal occupiers pushed pigs into the
owner's homestead garden and are threatening to beat the pigs if they are
returned to their sty’s.
Mashonaland East
Beatrice - The owner of
Silver Oaks farm was barricaded in his home after a large group of aggressive
illegal occupiers destroyed the homestead fence and prevented the owner from
feeding cattle. Illegal occupiers on Maas Plein demanded that the farm store
close, as they are taking it over. The owner of Goldilands was instructed by
illegal occupier Chinotimba to vacate the farm. After the owner was barricaded
in his home and a threatening situation developed, the owner left. If the owner
wishes to return, he has to seek permission from Zhou, the Joyce Mine base
commander.
Bromley / Ruwa / Enterprise - A new invasion occurred on Fourdyce
farm. Section 5 Orders have been served on several farms.
Featherstone - In
an attempt to prevent a work stoppage, illegal occupiers chased farm workers out
of the grading shed on Nebo farm. Illegal occupiers prevented the owner of
Dunkirk from milking cattle. A large number of farms in the district have
deliberately been burnt by illegal occupiers, resulting in some farms being
totally burnt.
Harare South - The owner of Walmer farm was instructed to
vacate the farm by illegal occupiers, and told to open the kitchen and toilets
for a motor cross track on the farm, which the owner refused as the track
belonged to a club. Illegal occupiers proceeded to break into the facility.
Police responded the following day. Illegal occupiers informed the owner that
they wished to move their cattle onto the farm. Illegal occupiers arrived on
Auks Nest, and informed the manager they were surveying the land, as they were
due to be resettled there. The boundary fence on Rusimbiro was cut by illegal
occupiers who informed the manager that they were not to interfere.
Marondera - A tense and dangerous situation arose when the owner of Monora
farm was barricaded in her homestead, but was resolved.
Marondera North -
Illegal occupiers chased farm workers out of their homes on Loquat Grove. The
owner of Rapid and a farmer leasing a section of the farm were instructed by
illegal occupiers to vacate the farm.
Macheke / Virginia - Illegal occupiers
are selling plots on a farm in the district for $2000. Illegal occupiers chased
farm workers on Riverlea out of their homes. A borehole drilling team arrived on
Craiglea. 40 illegal occupiers arrived on Murrayfield farm in a UNP vehicle with
the DA and proceeded to Camdale. On Second Chapter, 4 illegal occupiers took
over a home in the farm village. Illegal occupiers on Glen Somerset have erected
fences around their huts. Illegal occupiers in a lorry drove onto Nyadema and
deposited 3 dog kennels behind the managers house and almost ran the manager’s
wife over when she went out to ask them what they were doing. About 10 illegal
occupiers stole gum poles off Malda Farm. Illegal occupiers moved cattle out of
the dipping area on Wheatlands. Mignon farm was recently delisted and when the
owner advised illegal occupiers to leave, they refused. The owner reported the
incident to the police who responded and the majority of illegal occupiers
vacated the farm.
Wedza - Illegal occupiers on Collace told the manager that
they needed access into the house and garden to take an inventory of all assets.
They were not given access and left saying they would return. Illegal occupiers
on Farm Bravo seriously assaulted 4 farm workers, and the owner verbally abused
whilst attending to the farm workers injuries, before taking the farm workers to
hospital. Poachers with dogs and spears killed an Ostrich, Tsessebe and Kudu on
Welton farm. There has been extensive pegging on several farms. There are now 6
farms in the district where farm workers have been forced to stop work and move
out of their homes and are either camping in the bush or living in the barns and
grading sheds. 3 farmer owners received unofficial letters and threats that they
must leave the farm, stop production and remove property and grids off the farm.
There was a tense situation on Farm Alpha when illegal occupiers rounded up farm
workers, broke into the farm premises smashing the gate and harassed farm
workers in the complex during the night. That farm incurred a complete work
stoppage and the foreman was given 30 minutes to leave the farm.
Manicaland
Mutare - A tense situation arose when illegal occupiers
surrounded the owner and his son on En Avante Farm. Police reacted and diffused
the situation. Illegal occupiers prevented the owner of Welverdened Farm from
moving his cattle. A number of farmer owners have been unable to return to their
homesteads at night.
Odzi - On Green Valley Farm the owner and his family
were unable to return to the farm as illegal occupiers dug trenches and
barricaded off all farm roads.
Nyazura - DDF officials are active on farms
in the district and there has been an increase of poaching and crime.
Headlands - Ruanda Farm was fast tracked last week, leaving the owner with
400 ha. 3 cattle have been slaughtered and a calf stolen. 11 permanent houses
have been built for illegal occupiers.
Chimanimani - There was a visitation
by Minister Chombo, Air Vice Marshall Muchena, war vet leader, MIC Matanga and
various other dignitaries to Charleswood. They arrived in about 18 vehicles with
armed escort to see how the land reform programme was progressing and informed
the owner that the whole farm would be pegged including the standing coffee
plantation.
Masvingo
Masvingo East & Central - Theft, cutting
down of trees, pegging and ploughing continues unabated. Mwenezi - About 20
illegal occupiers moved onto Swanscoe Ranch in an area that is highly
concentrated with wildlife. There has been much movement of illegal occupiers on
Kleinbegin Ranch with civil servants farming whilst off duty. 2 gates have been
broken open on the farm from the reserve next door and the owner was instructed
by police not to replace the gates. 5 police officials responded to an attempted
assault charge that illegal occupier Makado made against the owner’s wife after
she asked him to remove himself from a pile of bricks and taken a photograph of
him. Makado laid the assault charge after the DA instructed him to do so. At 2
water points on Flora and Fauna Ranches, 80 snares made with stolen wire and
cable were recovered over a 2 day period. Recent remains of 2 giraffe, 1 Kudu
and 1 Eland were recovered and less recent remains of 11 giraffe were recovered.
1 Poacher has been apprehended. A herd of goats have been moved from the red
into the green zone on the Mateke Hills Road. Veterinary and police set up an
ambush and arrested 2 people. A total number of 45 fires started by illegal
occupiers on farms in the district occurred over the weekend.
Gutu /
Chatsworth - Farm owners continue to receive harassment and threats from illegal
occupiers to remove cattle off the farm or out of certain paddocks. 4 farm
owners in the district have been threatened by illegal occupiers with threats of
cattle being pushed into homestead gardens.
Chiredzi - Poaching, building of
permanent structures, felling of trees and stealing of firewood continue
unabated.
Midlands
Chivhu - Pegging, poaching and stock theft
continue.
Gweru - Illegal occupiers claim to be clearing the land with the
use of fire, but have been responsible for veld fires becoming out of control
and refuse to assist in putting out the fires.
Kwe Kwe - A farmer received
an acquisition notice and his farm was pegged and
illegal occupiers are
expected to move onto the property soon.
Shurugwi - A neighbour assisted a
farmer in the area who has had to evacuate his farm and both have received
threats and violence from local war vets Lovemore Sakahuwa and alias Gunpowder.
The manager of Killarney and his family have been ordered to vacate the farm by
next week.
Somabhula - Illegal occupiers threatened to take over the
homestead on Sonambhula Farm if the owner did not dismiss 2 farm workers.
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