MANICALAND
Chipinge – Lessee Smithfield Farm, was dipping his cattle when he was surrounded by ZANU  PF supporters who said he could not leave until he had given them a cow, he managed to escape and reported the incident to the police who then dispersed the war veterans.
Rusape - Section 7's have been issued to Silverbow Farm, Chimbe Farm, Chitora Farm. These were received on Saturday 16 March 2002.
Old Mutare - On Mountain Home, the war vet has told them that he is taking over the administration tomorrow morning and they need not come to work.  The police have been advised.
Headlands - On Ruanda Farm, a month ago some of his cattle went into the settlers maize, it was settled amicably.  The settlers came back yesterday demanding compensation for the incident.  The Police were collected and have diffused the situation but there is still tension there.
Odzi - There was a large mob present at Kondozi Farm demanding closure of the packshed.  Police are present.
Nyazura - The war veterans approached Gerald Knight on Saturday and demanded a cow for their celebrations but eventually only got ZW$10,000.00.   However the Councillor for Ward 17 said that no-one can approach a farmer without a letter from the council and then it is up to the farmer whether he will donate anything or not.
 
MASHONALAND CENTRAL
Bindura - On Benridge Farm, the crop guard and his wife were abducted by youths from Ledbury Farm on Friday evening at 6pm. The guard was severely beaten and both he and his wife were returned the next morning and ordered to leave the farm. The Police responded and managed to defuse the situation.
Harare West - On Danbury Park two truck loads of Zanu PF supporters and war veterans arrived on the farm and broke down the fence and ordered the owner to leave immediately. He refused and reported the matter to the Marlborough Police. They have been unable to resolve the situation and all night pungwes have been held outside the owners home since Friday.
Tsatsi - Youths have been hijacking vehicles in the area since Friday. Police and heads of the Zanu PF have promised to put an end to this.
Horseshoe - The owner of Nyamsewe Farm was ordered to leave his farm on Sunday. The Police reacted and the situation is under control. A dispute has arisen on Penrose Farm where the war veterans have claimed that the fruit belongs to them. They are reaping and selling the fruit. On Manovi Farm a similar incident has occurred with  bananas,  but the war veterans and the settlers are arguing amongst themselves as to whom the fruit belongs to. The Police have reacted but nothing has been resolved. The owner has been told not remove any of his belongings without Police protection. The owner of Andrea Farm is not allowed to feed the pigs.
Victory Block – Yesterday (15th March, 2002) was a bad day in the V. Block.  It started with a work stoppage (for the 2nd day) at Birkdale.  This was resolved before the Police could react.  A commandeered pick up visited Nrowe farm having collected a cow for celebrations from Delken Farm and drove round the district all day.
At lunch time there was a report that trouble had broken out at Prangmere farm and that youths were threatening to ransack the house.  A neighbour drove to Mvurwi to collect the Police.  In the interim the owner (having been released from jail in Bindura) arrived back at his farm with the member-in-charge, Mvurwi and the Police Support Unit from Harare and they managed to sort everything out before any damage was done. 
Meanwhile at Msitwe Farm, the settlers demanded that the owner's son pay them for his tobacco, which he had cured in his father's barn and return the wood, which he had used for this purpose.  They also demanded that the farmer  and their workers move out immediately.  Luckily, the team from Prangmere went on to Msitwe Farm and sorted that matter out and everything is quiet again there.
A farmer reported that his African manager had been thrown out of his house and asked for the same team to go to his farm.  The owner at Nrowe also requested a visit from the team as even his settlers were fed up with the carryings on.
Another report was received that the African manager of abandoned Brookfield farm had telephoned from Mtoko to say that he had been driven off.  He was advised to stay there and call again later.  Have just received a report that he has done so and he has been asked to return and to report to a neighbour as his farm is totally occupied by unfriendly people.
The owner of Kelston received a letter from the manager of the abandoned farm Kelston Park requesting assistance as the war vets there were demanding to live in the owners house and had also asked for the farm keys.  The Police Mutoroshanga were informed and advised that he should report the matter to Raffiingora Police.  He was advised by letter to do so.
16.03.02 A farmer’s truck had been from Prangmere to Chengoma and on to Disi with settler Nari on board.  There they had met up with the Member in Charge and 2 Police land rovers.  They confiscated the meat (from Delken farm) and picked up Nari and his wife.  They took statements and went to a farm  where they insisted that the Manager be reinstated in his house.  Then on to Delken Farm and from there back to the original farm, where they visited the beer hall.  As a result the labour was happier as they felt things would be returning to normal.
At about 2.15 p.m. a crowd of about 60 people arrived inside the gate of Kelston Ranch singing and beating drums and carrying a mock coffin for Tsvangiraison and a placard declaring "Tsvangiraison go to hell and rest in peace 2002".  They advanced on the owner's wife and daughter saying they would not harm them.  After some talk with a Mr. Mutungwa (who showed his card saying war hero) they were given a contribution to their celebrations and they left to threaten 4 workers in the farm village with eviction.  They were in a white half ton truck reg. no. 762 405 A They then proceeded to Msitwe Farm.  There they followed the same procedure and the owner went out to talk to them.  They then left after the owner had also given them a donation.

MASHONALAND EAST
Murewa although it is not on the sitrep area on Monday 1000 youth descended on the ZANU PF headquarters demanding $28000 pay They were addressed & told that "You have been given maize & sugar, cattle had been bought from the white farmers for you do not be greedy go away."
Marondera - Police Reaction - It is noteworthy that the following post-election disturbances from Thursday to Sunday in the Marondera and Wedza commercial farming areas all took place in the area falling under ZRP Marondera Rural. In most cases, whilst reports were made at station level, appeals for assistance from the police were fraught with frustration, lack of professionalism and sometimes hostility. Again, in most cases it became necessary to appeal to District or Provincial level before any reaction occurred on the ground, and even after such reaction occurs many problems remain unresolved.
It is of concern that there is little consistency in the level of response from one station to another, and in some cases from one day to another in the same station. For example, police reaction from Macheke over the weekend was markedly more positive than that from Marondera, where in the former, cases of threatened illegal eviction of workers on two farms were averted because of the action of the police. Last Wednesday police reaction to the looting of a farm in the Marondera Rural police area was swift and decisive.
It appears that the command structures within the police are being undermined by elements within and outside the police at station level. It is in turn a potential threat to the effectiveness of the entire command structure when decisions that should rightly be taken at station level have to be referred upward by members of the public.
Assault in Marondera North - At Oxford farm in Marondera North at 6.00am on Friday morning, John-John Rutherford was instructed to hear what the youths on the farm had to say. He was taken to a house in the farm village where accusations were leveled at him that he had been involved in MDC activities. One of the accusations came from a worker named Godfrey, who claimed that the farmer had met with him recently and instructed him to burn down the settlers’ huts after the election. John-John’s wife was forced to go to the farm village,  to witness her husband being beaten, after which she was told  would be killed. A number of individuals, including the above-named worker, two other ex-employees and others took turns in beating John-John with a badza handle. He was forced to lie front-down whilst being beaten on the buttocks. The other assailants identified by the victim are Obert Makiwa, Washington, Jealous Ndaudzwa, Lynn, Constable Chikove, who has been allocated a plot on the farm, Joe Nyatsiwe, Aida Mambare and others unnamed. John-John was forced to sign an admission of his alleged misdeeds, or face death. A farm security guard, Darlington, had been severely beaten beforehand and was also in the room. He collapsed repeatedly, and was taken outside the house and dumped. When it became evident to the assailants that the guard’s condition was critical, two of them with the two victims drove to Borradaile Hospital in Marondera. The guard died before arrival. John-John is being treated at Borradaile Hospital. He has severe bruising on both buttocks, abrasions on his knees and a bruise on his left shin.
His wife and two children are safe.(RRB No. 05416, ZRP Marondera Rural.)
The previous night on neighbouring Suffolk a driver was beaten up. It is believed that there may be a connection between this incident and that on Oxford today. Both farms currently are tense but calm.
Marondera South - In the Ruzawi River area, at Chipesa at about midday on Friday a mob beat up a tractor driver then went to the farm village intent on beating up workers there. Workers stood their ground, and the mob left. They returned later with reinforcements. The owner and his son were forced to flee. The homestead/farmyard area has been occupied and looting has taken place, the extent of which cannot be ascertained due to the presence of very hostile people. Police have been contacted on numerous occasions but the situation remains unresolved.
On Sunday night at approximately 9.30 p.m. a group of aggressively noisy people entered the farm village on Gresham and proceeded to smash doors in the farm village. The extent of the damage could not be ascertained due to the instability of the situation. It is believed that the mob was searching for senior workers who had fled from the disturbances on neighbouring Chipesa. (RRB No. 054148 through Constable Mazhindu at Marondera Rural). The same group returned on Monday morning and told the owner to vacate the farm. He was also told that the same fate awaited Monte Cristo,  Igava and Chipesa.
On Sunday workers were forced to vacate their houses and get off the property on Ponderosa and Bali Hai in the Wenimbi valley. Although acting O/I/C Marondera Rural personally attended on Ponderosa, the matter was not resolved.
On Saturday night at Esperance in the Wenimbi valley a mob got inside the homestead fence and harassed the owner. Police arrived at 2.10 p.m. after which the crowd calmed down., but did not leave. One Richard Maguda, a settler, claimed that the farmer was being barricaded because cattle had damaged his plot. Police again came at about 8.00 a.m. on Sunday morning, without effect. The barricade was ongoing by nightfall, and by 9.00 a.m. the mob was reported to be smashing windows in the homestead, and further efforts were being made to get the police to bring the problem under control.
On Sunday afternoon owner’s son was returning home to Home Park/Riverside when he found the farm road blocked by a barricade of rocks. Whilst attempting to drive away a rock was hurled at the vehicle, smashing the windscreen.
Marirangwe settlers demanded to use the barns to cure tobacco. Chopped trees and blocked off all entrances and exits. Police did respond and took away 2 people however the others remain, have broken down the gates and are currently using the barns.
Uitkyk Cattle once again confined to one small paddock as a "reprisal" for supposed political activity of the owner in Bulawayo. Police responded once but have done nothing to resolve the matter.  Owner told on Friday that he must vacate within the next 2 days.
Wedza - Increased pressure in the western sector of Wedza F.A. being that area falling under Police Marondera:
On Thursday on Bickleigh, war veteran Kujeke told owner that he was to pay him rent for the use of tobacco barns. He also said that the owner’s  son  and the labour had to get off the farm by Monday (18.3.2002). On Sunday workers were evicted on Bickleigh, and the owner’s son is not able to return to his house. The owner was threatened on Sunday with eviction from his house on Skoonveld unless he negotiated and paid rent for the use of tobacco barns.
On Thursday evening on Chakadenga, youths told workers to leave the farm village and proceed to the war veteran base. Four senior workers were threatened with death. Instead the workers, who have been the subject of severe and sustained intimidation and violence, went to the homestead and told the owner at they would not move until the police arrived to sort the issue out. Police arrived after midnight, but in the meantime many of the workers, including the four who had been threatened, had taken refuge in the bush. Others spent the night at the homestead gate. Only about ten of the workers reported to the war veteran base.
At approximately 9.00pm on Thursday night a blue Mercedes Benz arrived at Mount Arthur. The lessee was away at the time. The visitors forced the guard to open the security fence gate and broke into the homestead. Doors were smashed; a few cabinets trashed; a washing machine burnt; TV, VCR and various other household items and provisions were stolen; two tractors (a Ford 4x4 and an Ursus) and a trailer and workshop equipment were stolen and a brand new Nissan pickup was doused in petrol and set alight. None of the stolen items have been recovered by the following Monday.
At midnight on Thursday night, a vehicle arrived at Torre with at least five individuals. One of them claimed to be "Ignatius Chombo" from the President’s Office. They gave the owner until today to vacate the farm.
On Sunday a group of people including war veteran Kujeke and four others arrived in a metallic brown Mercedes Benz at Saltash from the war veteran base camp on nearby Liliefontein. The owner was told to vacate the farm the following day or suffer the consequences. The workers were told to leave the farm immediately. They were back on the farm on Monday morning, but were very nervous and expectant of problems.
Enterprise/Ruwa/Bromley - Nothing to report.
Beatrice - Victory - at about 4.00pm yesterday afternoon six youths demanded meat and maize from the farmer. This was refused.
Brakveld– at 11.00pm last night a mob gathered at the homestead gate shouting and singing. They kept up the noise all night, entering the fenced area in the morning. The farmer spoke with the group and succeeded in pacifying them. Youths threw bags of stockfeed into a water tank. The principal aggressors were Mukambari, who is the deputy headmaster of Gura School, and Mudhi Zenge.
Adams Rest– settlers from Wheelerdale resettlement are demanding maize, $50 from each labourer and transport.
Colandra War vet Godfrey told the owner to vacate the house; owner refused.
Argylle War vet Chitsinde stopped the milk tanker before it was loaded and told driver while he was loading to leave some of the milk in the farm tanks – this was refused. There was then an all night pungwe attended by approx 100.
Canterbury Settlers requested maize, this was refused.
Nengwa Settlers demanded to be given access to the cottage to live in – this was refused
Featherstone - Jakkalsdraai yesterday the owner was visited by the MP for the area, the DA and the Deputy DA, accompanied by others who appeared to have been drinking. The MP stayed in the vehicle whilst the DA and his deputy did the talking. They told the owner that they were going to take over the farm. Later from a black neighbour’s farm that has come under recent pressure workers were seen running away from a disturbance, but specific details are not known.
Harare South - Welmer On Friday youths were around the fence all night.
Mashonda Two settlers came to inspect their plots – no problems.
Auks Nest Settler numbers are building up.

MASHONALAND WEST (NORTH)
At Halstead Farm, at about 6am approx 30 settlers demanded a cow be slaughtered  for their victory celebration. When the farmer refused to give them one, they released all cattle into his tobacco. They then took two bulls and started to herd them away. Police reacted. Bulls were returned and two settlers arrested.
At Moniack Farm, (mid-morning) approx 30 settlers reaped green mealies, saying it was now theirs. Police reacted too late and no arrests were made.
The farmer then hired six guards, who, when the settlers returned to reap again, arrested a number of them. They were taken to the Police Station where they were released, as some of them were women who had small children.
At Kiplingcotes,(mid-morning) approx 40 settlers reaped green mealies.
Labour were too afraid to stop them. By the time the Police arrived they had all left taking the maize with them. No arrests were made. 15 cattle have also been stolen.
At Mawara Farm, 28 cattle were taken by settlers and herded down the main road. One of the Community  reported the matter to the farmer, who contacted the Police immediately. The farmer then went and retrieved the cattle, and was bringing them back to the farm when the Police arrived.   The Police spoke to the herdsmen and then left. As soon as the Police drove away, the settlers returned reclaimed the cattle and chased the herdsmen away. Only 16 of the cattle have been returned.  The Police have done an excellent job in retrieving these 16.
At Mukuyu Farm, approx 35 settlers demanded the keys for the Guest Chalets on the farm, saying they wanted them for a school. The farmer refused the request. The situation went on for days. Eventually, the settlers broke all the locks off surrounding barns and sheds. Police have been reluctant to react saying it is a matter for the DA to sort out. The DA says the farmer and the settlers must come to an greement!
At Zebra Downs, a large number of  green mealies have been stolen.
The owner of Nyamanda Farm was threatened and told to leave his farm by six  Zanu PF supporters.  He was told to leave in 24 hours or they would not guarantee his safety.  At Hesketh Park, there was a work stoppage. The farmer was attempting to reap tobacco, when the settlers informed them that the tobacco now belonged to them. Policve reacted and everthing was fine until the Police left. No reaping was done that day. Today the workers took it upon themselves to reap and suffer the consequences. The settlers have said they are going to get reinforcements.
A similar incident occurred at Rocklands Farm. Once again the workers decided  to work regardless.
At Mlichi Farm, cattle have been stolen.
At Blockley farm settlers demanded that the farmer hand over two farm workers to them as they had been seen to be supporting MDC over the election period and needed to be re-educated. The farmer refused. A lot of screaming and shouting went on at the gate before they eventually left .  There was an incident at Tivoli Farm. Two farm radios were stolen. They Have  since been recovered.
 
MASHONALAND WEST (SOUTH)
Norton – Norton farmer, Terry Ford of Gowrie Farm, who was in his mid fifties was bludgeoned to death sometime in the early hours of the morning on Monday 18th March,2002.
Just before midnight, a group of about twenty, suspected to consist of settlers and war veterans, approached the homestead area.  Mr Ford, who was alone in the house, immediately made a report to the Norton police station and alerted a neighbouring farmer.  At 02.15hrs, Mr Ford contacted the neighbour to say that there still had been no police response and that he would remain vigilant and call for assistance if necessary.  Mr Ford’s battered body was found in the early hours of Monday morning.
The farm is in the vicinity of Winsor Farm, where looting took place last week and the farmer and his family were forced to vacate. Also, in the same area, the homestead at Wilbered Farm, owned by an 81 year old cancer victim who is away receiving medical treatment, was completely looted of all belongings. These incidents have been reported to the police at all levels.  Of the group of approximately 70 looters involved in these incidents, 3 have been arrested.
War veteran leader, Mrs Rusike, controls the Norton district.  The war veteran base commander on Gowrie farm is Cde Wamba. Both are known to have been involved in the previous two looting incidents.
 
MASVINGO 
Masvingo East and Central – Dromore farm owner has ongoing problems with the settlers and the trench they are digging alongside his dam for irrigation purposes.  Cambria farm– on the evening of 14th march, 2002 a war veteran known as Muzenda arrived on the property at 1.00am.  He was drunk and made a lot of noise, blowing his hooter and shouting verbal abuse.  Muzenda proceeded to inform the owner that he was returning on the weekend to claim his farm.  He also informed the owner that the trench he had previously dug across his main entrance would be used to bury the owner in.
Chidza farm owner reports that 21 communal cattle were moved illegally onto property. Farm workers responded well and pushed cattle back and repaired fence where it had been cut.   CID visited the property as the owner was allegedly selling maize illegally and they were following up on reports received.
Lamotte farm war veteran arrived on the property claiming compensation for maize that had allegedly been eaten by cattle.  The war vet. was told that there was no compensation as the whole crop had been destroyed by lack of rain.  Owner and FA Chairman told the war vet to report to Agritex and ask for an assessment.  War vet then left.  This matter was also reported to the Officer in Charge, rural who responded by advising the owner that if the war vet returned demanding compensation that the police should be contacted and they would deal with the matter.
Lochinvar farm 10 cattle were stolen from the cattle kraal in broad daylight and in front of all farm labour.   Farm labour knew the individuals and reports were made to the Mashava police who refused to react.
Chiredzi Area - General – theft of wire is now out of control as settlers claim everything now belongs to them. Small fires are reported here and there.
Mugwezi Ranch A huge meeting reported to be taking place this morning (Monday 18th March, 2002) It is reported to be loud and aggressive.
Dawlfish Ranch Game Scouts on this ranch have been threatened by the settlers that they should not remove any snares otherwise they will kill the horses and beat up the game guards. This has been reported to the police with no reaction.
Mwenezi Area - Over the last two years certain properties have experienced continuous malicious damage t the main water pipeline feeding properties.  Pipes have been broken etc.  Police were seen on Sossonye, Quagga Pan Ranch, Twiza Ranch and Alko Ranch, apparently catcing up on the backlog of reports and checking the main water source.   Breakage of water pipes occurred againover past weekend.
Kalahari Ranch large fire reported on the property over the week-end.
La Pache Ranch The settlers have called a meeting for 5pm this evening (18th March, 2002)  Owner has been told that pegging and allocating of land is to take place next Wednesday within the owner’s irrigation land.  Police have been informed.
Nandice Ranch follow up report from last sitrep.  the Manager has declined to attend meeting arranged by settlers, but went out to the property later in the week.  Unknown to him the meeting had been rescheduled and he walked into it.   He was then made to stay all day and listen to discussion and demands. Settlers attempted to make him chant slogans but he declined.  The following demands were made:

Save Conservancy – No report.  Ongoing snaring and poaching.
Gutu\Chatsworth – Makanya farm One steer found with rope around its  back of legs.   Six women apprehended stealing maize, caught with six bags of maize.   Reported to police at Mvuma.
Kanya farm One steer found cruelly hacked on back legs – owner had to shoot it.  Another steer found slaughtered at the river on the farm.  Head and some meat found in the river.
A Owner has been threatened by the Chairman of the ZANU\PF Masvingo Branch that he will have to pay $180 000 in grazing fees for his 250 head of cattle still on the property. Owner declined and told that these orders have come from the Minister of Agriculture.  Owner told he has until the end of the month to remove the remaining 250 head of cattle.
Blyth Farm– update from previous report.  Police sent out two details to owner’s property to enquire on developments and threats made to owner to vacate property by 1400 on 14th March, 2002.  When owner explained the situation the police indicated that they have a number of reports of the alleged perpetrators and they were going to make arrests. The police could not find them and indicated t the owner that they would return by the same evening and again try and make an arrest.  On the evening of 14th March, a police vehicle was seen heading in the direction of the youth league camping area.  It has now, however, been confirmed if any arrests were made, although all is now quiet.  On the same property the owner has been subjected to continued harassment, verbal abuse by schoolchildren attending school in the owner’s shed (forcefully occupied).  The owner approached the alleged headmaster on numerous occasions, however, when last approached on 15th March to report verbal abuse there was a significant change in the attitude and all verbal abuse from the children has now stopped.  Theft has, however, occurred and a two wheel trailer was stolen on the evening of 14th March, 2002.
 
MIDLANDS
Gweru East/Lalapanzi - ZanuPF youths have been going round the area with a letter requesting donations (cash or a beast) from farmers for their celebrations on the outcome of the elections. In one case a farmer's vehicle, which was returning to the farm after delivering flowers, was commandeered to transport them to a couple of farms with their demands.
 
MATABELELAND
No report received.

aisd1@cfu.co.zw                                   Visit the CFU Website www.mweb.co.zw/cfu

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