Back to Index
Back to the Top
Back to Index
Two Killed, Many Wounded in Zimbabwe Violence
Thursday May 18 11:38 AM ET

HARARE, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Two opposition supporters were killed and many hurt in a clash with backers of President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF, an opposition party official said on Thursday.
``Two of our members were killed by ZANU-PF supporters and many were wounded last night. We have just received the report,'' said James Chitongo, director of elections of Bishop Abel Muzorewa's minority opposition United Party. He said the clash occurred in the northeastern district of Mudzi. The killings push the known death toll in more than three months of political violence to 23, with hundreds hurt.
Most violence has targeted supporters of Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, which has reported 16 people killed since February. But since Mugabe Monday called a parliamentary election for June 24-25, reports of violence in rural constituencies have escalated.
The MDC was still trying Thursday to trace five MDC supporters abducted by suspected ZANU-PF members Monday and now feared dead.
Police confirmed the latest deaths to Reuters and said several people had been arrested in connection with the violence.
They declined to say who was responsible for the clash, saying investigations were underway.
``We are investigating and we have no details of who did what,'' Inspector Bothwell Mugarire said.
Chitongo said the wounded included a local village headman and a child, who were severely beaten and left for the dead by supporters of ZANU-PF.
``Besides the two murders, many others were severely assaulted and we are getting reports that violence is taking place in that area almost every night,'' he added.
Back to the Top
Back to Index
Zimbabwe Veterans Chief in Court As Violence Grows
Thursday May 18 6:45 PM ET By Ellis Mnyandu

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's war veterans' leader Chenjerai Hunzvi is due in court on Friday for defying an order demanding that he put a stop to the occupation of white-owned farms.
His court appearance comes as the southern African country grapples with an escalation of political violence that threatens to mar June 24-25 parliamentary elections.
A judge last month found Hunzvi in contempt of court for failing to end the invasion of more than 800 farms by veterans of the 1970s liberation war. His sentencing was postponed earlier this month.
The court case was brought by the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), which represents 4,500 mainly white commercial farmers.
At least 23 people have been killed in Zimbabwe since the farm invasions began three months ago.
Most of the violence has targeted supporters of Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
The MDC, which poses the first formidable challenge to President Robert Mugabe's 20-year-rule, says that supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party are behind the violence.

Violence Feared
``We expect the violence is going to increase but this is not going to stop the people from voting ZANU-PF out of power,'' MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai told reporters on Thursday.
The most recent killings include the murder of two people, believed to be MDC supporters, in a political clash with ZANU-PF backers on Wednesday in the northeastern district of Mudzi.
Tsvangirai has outlined a catalog of violence including beatings and rapes carried out against his supporters by ruling party activists in the countryside.
The MDC is expected to apply for a court order on Friday arguing that Mugabe's government has broken the law by setting nomination and poll dates before constituency boundaries had been drawn.
``We have to file our papers this Friday,'' MDC legal secretary David Coltart told Reuters.
He said the move was aimed at ensuring that ZANU-PF did not have an unfair disadvantage over its rivals.

No British Election Observers Allowed
Human rights groups and Western countries, as well as the Commonwealth of mostly former British colonies, have urged Mugabe to ensure that the poll is free and fair and called for the urgent deployment of foreign observers. Zimbabwean state television reported from Mauritius on Thursday that Mugabe had said would not allow British election observers because the former colonial power was plotting to topple him.
Mugabe, who was attending a two-day summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), does not face presidential elections until 2002. Critics say Mugabe's ZANU-PF is aware of the threat posed to its two-decade grip on power and is responding by waging a terror campaign, particularly among rural voters, and is the backing violent seizures of white-owned land
Back to the Top
Back to Index
Zimbabwe to take centre stage
BBC: Thursday, 18 May, 2000, 11:23 GMT 12:23 UK

Zimbabwe's opposition groups feel intimidated

By Diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall

The continuing turmoil in Zimbabwe is likely to be the centre of attention when South Africa's President, Thabo Mbeki meets UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr Mbeki is on a two-day official visit to London and will have an audience with the Queen before arriving at Downing Street for the talks that will be the political centrepiece of this visit.
He will also answer questions live from around the world on BBC News Online and during a radio phone-in.
Both governments are downplaying the possibility of progress in the continuing dispute and ensuing violence over land reform in Zimbabwe.

Easing tensions
The main problem for both sides will be to make sure disagreements do not sour a visit aimed at promoting closer relations.
Up until now President Mbeki has supported the Zimbabwe president's call for Britain to act first and release funds for a land reform programme as a key step to easing tensions.
But the British position remains firm - that until there have been free and fair elections, an end to farm occupations and other violence, President Mugabe can expect no money from Britain.
Not surprisingly, therefore, British officials say they expect no new initiatives to come out of Thursday's meeting.
Instead, they hope the South African president will agree that the crisis must be solved swiftly and peacefully and continue putting pressure behind the scenes on President Mugabe.
Back to the Top
Back to Index
Zimbabwe Opposition Urges Voters
The Associated Press - May 18 2000 11:26AM ET

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Zimbabwe's main opposition leader urged voters today to resist violence and intimidation by ruling party militants and oust the party from power in upcoming parliamentary elections.
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, said five more years of government under President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party would be intolerable.
``Apathy is not a solution to our current problems,'' Tsvangirai said. ``Everyone who has a right to vote should come out and vote.''
At least 21 people have been killed in political violence that erupted in February after Mugabe lost a constitutional referendum that would have strengthened his powers. Black squatters also have occupied some 1,200 white-owned farms as part of the intimidation campaign.
Nearly all of those killed were opposition supporters, including white farmers, who had been attacked by ZANU-PF militants.
One person, believed to be an MDC supporter, was killed and 18 others injured in clashes Tuesday night between rival party supporters in Harare. Also Tuesday, occupiers stormed the nation's biggest lumber business, forcing Border Timbers in eastern Zimbabwe to close until Friday, sending 3,500 workers home.
Tsvangirai said the violence would not gain the ruling party any support. ``Everyone is eager to make sure that we put a stop to this mismanagement, corruption, anarchy, decay and lawlessness,'' Tsvangirai told a news conference.
Mugabe announced Monday that the parliamentary election would be held June 24-25. The MDC said it would challenge the election decree because it set the deadline for nominating candidates at May 29, though voting districts have yet to be defined and updated voter rolls have yet to be published.
Despite the problems, Tsvangirai insisted his party would not boycott the elections.
``Because of the fraudulent nature of the process, anyone can conclude, before we even go to the election, that it is not going to be free and fair,'' he said. ``We all know that, but the alternative is not acceptable either.'' In London, South African President Thabo Mbeki was meeting today with British Prime Minister Tony Blair about Zimbabwe's land crisis and mounting political tension.
Mbeki wants to serve as mediator between Britain, Zimbabwe's former colonial master, and international institutions to get funding for land reform in Zimbabwe. Britain is withholding $57 million earmarked for such reforms until Mugabe halts the violence.
Back to the Top
Back to Index
Annan asks UN body to explore Zimbabwe land reform
Reuters - May 18 2000 12:46PM ET

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) to consider helping with a land reform effort in Zimbabwe, where hundreds of white-owned farms have been taken over in recent months by black war veterans.
A statement issued Thursday by Annan's spokesman and his UNDP counterpart said the new reform effort would be ''predicated on a program of land purchase, adequately funded with assistance from the international community, that provides compensation at fair market prices.''
It would also be based on ``a transparent, fair, legally enforceable process,'' involve ongoing consultations with all stakeholders, and ensure that ``the main beneficiaries of international assistance to land reform are the poorest people, including those currently living in congested communal areas,'' the statement said.
But moving beyond exploring the issues to attract resources for an adequately funded program would ``depend on changes in the broader political context that are beyond the competence of the UNDP to address,'' the statement added in an allusion to the farm takeovers that have been accompanied by political violence in the run up to parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe scheduled for June 24-25.
``Nevertheless by initiating such a process now, the secretary-general hopes it will help defuse the current confrontation and pave the way for a just and equitable resolution to the problem,'' it said.
The statement said land ownership patterns have long been a source of political and economic tension in Zimbabwe, where some 4,460 large-scale commercial farmers owned 27.6 million acres, much of it the most fertile land, while more than 6 million people, living mainly in communal areas, occupied 40.5 million acres

ENCOURAGE EQUITABLE OWNERSHIP PATTERNS
``The key objective of any reform and resettlement program must be to encourage equitable ownership patterns, incorporating both large and small scale farming, that help alleviate widespread poverty,'' the statement said. ``However in the current climate it has become difficult to reestablish the framework for such a process,'' it added.
The statement said the UNDP was well-placed to play a role in land reform because it has worked as a partner with Zimbabwe. The UNDP's co-chaired, with the Zimbabwe government, a 1998 donors conference on land reform and resettlement.
``The unanimously endorsed principles and processes established at that conference remain the basis for a sustainable reform program,'' the statement said.
The 1998 agreement envisaged the transfer of 12.3 million acres of land over five years that would resettle 150,000 families, it added.
The UNDP, as a development organization, would ``work with the government of Zimbabwe and the international community, especially donors, and those involved on the ground, to set up a mutually acceptable'' plan of action.
Back to the Top
Back to Index
COMMERCIAL  FARMERS'  UNION FARM  INVASIONS  UPDATE
18  MAY  2000
 
The National Taskforce Team has tried for the last two days to visit certain farming areas. The team was promised a senior Government Minister, who has not arrived on both occasions. The visits have been called off until further notice.
 
REGIONAL REPORTS
 
Masvingo
Lowveld - 28 War Vets have been locked up by the magistrate until after the elections. They have been convicted of political violence.
 
Gutu/Chatsworth - The owner of Northdale Farm and his father have vacated the farm due to death threats.  The same group of war vets visited Nyroro Farm and demanded a tractor to cart them to a rally. They were refused this, so have now had the farmer take them around the farm and told him they are paying him back for refusal of use of the tractor.
 
Save Conservancy - Mapari Ranch has had a warning that there are 10 war veterans headed towards the main complex on the ranch.
 
Masvingo East and Central - Last night the invaders on Springfields Farm visited Ballihone Farm and took down all the signboards. The resident invaders on the farm took offense to this and arguments broke out between the two parties.
 
Chiredzi and Mwenezi - All is quiet there today.
 
Mashonaland Central
Centenary - Vuka Farm had an all night 'pungwe' resulting in no work taking place today.  They have agreed to catch up on Sunday.
 
Horseshoe - ZANU PF youths went into the compound of Norwi Farm and called all the labour onto the field. The foreman was assaulted and two farmers stopped on the road, but all was resolved after a meeting was called with the resident war vets.
 
Victory Block - A farm had a visit of 20 who demanded tea, which was refused.  They demanded transport which was given to collect labour for a rally.  The farmer was given a harsh verbal reminder that white farmers were being killed.  The invaders on Mutendamambo have moved off back to Raffingora.
 
Mvurwi - A large proportion of the farms in the area have been told to attend a rally this Sunday in the town.  War vets tried to break down a gate at Pedro and the Police arrived at the scene after the domestic worker telephoned for help and confiscated the telephone.  There are some war vets inside a security fence at Govete having a peaceful demonstration.  Labour has been subjected to assaults and re-education at Waddon Chase.
 
Tsatsi - A large group from Forrester Estate moved onto Nhagura Farm.  Labourers from Glen Brooke, Zanadu, Wengi and Thorncreek were taken to an all night "re-education" meeting at Meadows Farm last night.  Children as young as 10 were forced to attend the meeting.  Pegging is taking place on Oakwood Farm.  Consideration is being given by the senior war vet to a request that notice be given of these meetings and that they end at a reasonable time.
 
Glendale - Some people were assaulted by MDC supporters during the night.
 
Matepatepa/Bindura - Chelvy Farm was paid a visit and informed they would return today.
 
Mazowe - Makalanga Farm had 2 visits from different groups originating from Pearson Farm demanding land to plough and better accommodation.  Dispol from Bindura was called in and acknowledged that the accommodation was adequate.  Dispol went on to Pearson Farm where the war vets stated that for a sum of money and some land the farmer could return to the farm.
 
Shamva - A ZANU PF rally was being held at Tafuma Cotton Ginnery. Tipperary was prevented from planting wheat in a portion of land bordering the Wadzanai Township as this is where the township is to be extended to.
 
Harare West/Nyabira - Four ZANU PF youths stopped work on Rydale Farm in order to hold a mini rally.  Beachyhead Estates received demands for accommodation and was informed that the empty house in the compound was not acceptable.
 
Mashonaland East
Macheke/Virginia - A few maize thieves were caught by war veterans, beaten and then taken to the police station.
 
Bromley/Ruwa/Enterprise - There is a meeting on Lonely Park at the moment with regard to sorting out the problems there. Otherwise the area is quiet with no reports of violence.
 
Wedza – On Leeds at about 9:30 last night about 20 war vets gathered outside the gate demanding a meeting. Negotiations are ongoing and there is a work stoppage today.
 
Harare South/Beatrice – Mr. Kochi addressed a meeting yesterday, with Mahiya, the central committee member, the Harare South and Beatrice District Taskforces and about 30 - 40 war vets. The plan was to re-establish and clarify the leadership for a war vet district taskforce. A further meeting is planned for next week to try and resolve the problem of evacuations from the Beatrice area.
 
Marondera On Alexandra and Carolina, notes were left for the farmer that they would return today.
 
Featherstone - Nothing to report.
 
Mashonaland West (North)
Raffingora - Mrs Jean Simons was abducted from her farm Erewhon at about 06h30 this morning and she had to march/run to Mvurachena Farm 3 or 4 kilometres away. The best negiotators available in Raffingora joined the mob and went into negiotations.  Support unit joined in 4 hours later.
At 11h31 - Jean Simons came on the radio and said the situation was calm and that her children be told she was fine.
The owner of Mvurachena has left the farm and the war vets and invaders have taken over the farm school.
 
All other areas were quiet today.
 
Mashonaland West (South)
Norton -  A farmer was threatened "Don Carlos" with the closing down of his butchery and moving of his cattle if he did not sign Kingsdale Farm over to him.  He has been forced to sign.  There was an aggressive crowd on Garvillan farm yesterday under a War Veteran called Kaseke.  They appear to have come from Harare and have not operated in the Norton area previously.  They demanded that the farm be signed over but the owner was not there.  They demanded 20 litres of diesel which they have said they will pay for at a later date!  At the Lion Park there were demands for money yesterday with threats attached.  The owner faxed the police with the details and copied it to the Minister of Tourism.  The police response was excellent.  We still believe that an invasion at the Lion Park would not be very practical!
 
Chakari - Tawstock Farm was invaded yesterday.  There is a group moving on to Rondor "A" and Milanwood.  On Blackmorvale tree cutting etc. continues on a large scale and the invaders threaten that if the owner is not happy with the tree cutting they will move into the middle of his lands. 
 
Chegutu -The owner of Corrie Farm has had to move off after a visit by war vets.  On Denore Farm invaders have moved in to the empty manager's cottage.  The Police are visiting affected farms with Chitashu (serving member of the Air Force and the area War Veteran leader) to check that no untoward threats, violence or damage are taking place. 
 
Kadoma - The farmer who had to spend the night in jail yesterday for failing to produce his driver's licence was released today.  On Pamene Farm police have been out over the last couple of days and have given the war vets who were cutting wood and taking it back to the township a "warned and cautioning" statement.
 
Selous - One farmer seems to have been victimized and has had his garden dug up on a few occasions because one of his workers insists that there is an arms cache there.  It is disheartening that the police appear to be reacting to a report like this and yet nothing appears to be being done about the six or seven sightings of AK-47's in Norton where Mrs Rusike operates. 
 
Matabeleland
No report today.
 
Midlands
Shurugwi - The manager of Gwenoro Farm was approached yesterday afternoon by war vets who were upset by a press statement made by owner and told him, in no uncertain terms that they were not locals as per press statement.
 
Gweru - On Fairhill Farm, occupants searched the property looking for weapons and then accepted that the farm is too small and rocky to settle on before leaving.  There were new invasions on Boulder Beacon, Lyndale, Thornhill and Worcestershire farms. Neemaur Farm has about 47 in occupation at weekends. They have pegged lands and left 4 as permanents to look after their plots. No permanent structures and quite peaceful.
 
Chirumanzu, Kwekwe and Chikomba districts - nothing to report.
 
Manicaland
50 people invaded a farm in Old Mutare this morning, but left no presence.
 
 
OTHER
Please note that we still have accommodation offers for farmers wishing to have some time off their farms. Just contact Nicky at CFU on 309800/19 or nickyp@cfu.co.zw
Take note: One of the earliest sitreps compiled! Thanks to all parties for supplying the information. To all addressees I hope this is received in sufficient time.

...........................

Press Statement

William Hughes, Vice-President (Regions) Commercial Farmers' Union of Zimbabwe and Trustee of the Zimbabwe Agric Support Trust.

Members of the press and fellow trustees I stand before you deeply humbled by the sympathy and support shown by our neighbours here in South Africa for the plight of farmers and farm workers in my own country, Zimbabwe.

The formation of the Zimbabwe Agric Support Trust which as you have heard is humanitarian and a political is even more appreciated in Zimbabwe when we know that so many South Africans, particularly farmers, are themselves the subject of violence.

While I want to assure you all that the CFU and the National Employment Council in Zimbabwe will be absolutely faithful to carrying out the wishes of the Zimbabwe Agric Support Trustees by ensuring the distribution of contributions, be they in cash or kind, in a fair and equitable way with absolute integrity.

In Zimbabwe the impact of the work of the Trust will be two-fold. Firstly, it is absolutely reassuring to farmers and their workers to know of the care and support expressed by our neighbours through the formation and donations to this Trust - it would encourage them to be committed to their daily work which is so important in the uncertain politically volatile times. Of course, the practical impact of distributions through the Trust will be of immense humanitarian benefit to those who have been affected, be it through the loss of their homes, loved ones or just care and support offered by the Trust.

As a Trustee and having met with fellow South Africans here today I want to assure you that I personally, together with all those in the Commercial Farmers' Union, are working tirelessly to dialogue in a non-confrontational way a better situation, a calmer non-violent situation, so that the good people of Zimbabwe are able to express their opinion through the ballot box without fear, favour or persecution. I am well aware of the responsibilities we have to do all that we can to ensure that Zimbabwe holds a credible election that will be perceived by not only Zimbabweans but our neighbours in the region and the international community as a reflection of the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe. I do realise it is important, not only for Zimbabwe, but South Africa too, that this be so otherwise our common vision of Southern Africa being a harmonious and dynamic part of the African continent will not be realised.

I thank you.

Press Statement issued at Johannesburg Golf Club at the launch of the Zimbabwe Agric Support Trust on 18 May 2000.

COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION
AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Visit the CFU Website:- http://www.mweb.co.zw/cfu
Back to the Top
Back to Index