COMMERCIAL FARMERS'
UNION
FARM INVASIONS AND SECURITY
UPDATE
Monday 30th October
2000
NATIONAL REPORT IN
BRIEF:
-
30 people have
arrived at Virginia Farm, Glendale in one Government and 2 civilian vehicles.
A member of the group was seen carrying a weapon.
-
A large group of
invaders pegged at Arcadia Farm, Shamva, on Saturday and the farm
labourers were somewhat hostile towards them. Later on, 6 war vets were
seen to enter the camp armed with what looked like G.3 or FN rifles.
This was reported to the police, who interviewed witnesses on Sunday but made
no attempt to make contact with the war vets.
-
On Fort Martin farm
in Norton (which was fast tracked), an Air Force helicopter flew over on
Friday and circled the seed beds and the lands to check that the owner was
complying with orders not to plant.
-
On Safago, in Shurugwi, the number of occupiers is
about 60 and people have started
planting on lands which had been prepared for planting export flowers.
-
Nyombi Farm in
Gutu\Chatsworth - In a couple of days 2762 trees have been cut down. (In 7
paddocks). These are being used
for firewood and for making shelters.
-
Invaders on Rupture have been pulling out tobacco
plants and planted their own maize in
its place. The farm labour are quite upset about this and there is a
stand off there at the moment.
REGIONAL REPORTS:
Mashonaland
Central
Centenary - There has been a
build up of presence on Eryl, Casa Mia, Montana, Dundwe and
Everton farms. Police Centenary
and Mt Darwin have been advised.
Horseshoe - Work stoppages continue
at Manovi, Worthington, Nyamsewe and also at
Amajuba farms.
Glendale - About 30 people have
arrived at Virginia in one Government and two civilian vehicles and a member of
the group has been seen carrying a weapon. 100 have moved across to
Pimento Park from Insingisi farm
and are in the seed maize. Another group of 30 are pegging at
Thrums Farm.
Mutepatepa - There have been work
stoppages at Dimon, Katanya, Crewkerne and Condwelani. Numbers have
increased at Amanda and extensive pegging is ongoing at Lilstock.
Huts are being built in recently planted maize lands at Argyle
Park and Benridge.
Mvurwi
- On Saturday the District Administrator, accompanied by two ZRP land
rovers (riot police) and some war vets, arrived at Arda Farm and settled 8
people while a DDF tractor made a show of ploughing the land for them. The
same process was repeated at Visa. There was a work stoppage at Pembi
Falls over the weekend and earlier today, which was resolved. A large
group have assembled at Four Streams and are awaiting the arrival of the
District Administrator. There is also a large group waiting at
Visa who are in the process of chopping down trees and pegging.
Shamva - A large group of
invaders pegged at Arcadia Farm on Saturday and the farm labourers were
somewhat hostile towards them. Later on, 6 war vets were seen to enter the
camp armed with what looked like G.3 or FN rifles. This was reported to
the police, who interviewed witnesses on Sunday but made no attempt to make
contact with the war vets. Avalon Farm was pegged during the weekend
and the owner reports that cattle and sheep are continually being driven onto
the property. Today, there have been work stoppages at Chipadze,
Wapley and Nyamwanga and police have given a lukewarm response to the
reports. With the onset of the rain season, grave concerns have been
raised regarding the health hazards that will be caused by the lack of
sanitation around war vet camps.
Mashonaland
East:
Marondera - An invader by the name of Sarah Muzembe wanted to resettle 8 people on the farm
of Marirangwe. The owners
son then went to the DA (Miss Katsukunya) and reported the incident to
the police (Cst Masara) and was told that the farm has been taken off the fast
track resettlement list as it needs to be used for Municipal
development, not rural development. When Sarah was advised this, she was infuriated and has
advised the owners son that she will be back tomorrow with bigger numbers as the
DA has no authority to do this. (Take the farm off the fast track
list). She advised that they will be
there tomorrow to give the owner problems (he has just had an operation
and is bed ridden).
Marondera North - Invaders on
Rupture have been pulling out tobacco plants and planted their own
maize in its place. The farm labour
are quite upset about this and there is a stand off there at the moment.
Harare South - The DA is confirmed to have visited Dunluce, Kinsaus, Garth,
Kildonan and possibly Risimbiro farms. The farmers were just advised that the DA
would be coming back to resettle the farms. It appears that there are two
DA's running around raising the possibility
of an imposter. There was a visitation on Duiker farm
where ten people arrived in a minibus
and wanted to speak to the manager. The foreman advised that there was no
one at home so the vehicle and invaders left the farm.
Wedza - There was another work stoppage on Chakadenga
Farm. Over the weekend Chigwadere was back resettling invaders on Corby
and Leeds and threatened to go onto Bolton today. Hefa was resettled on
Friday as per schedule from Tuesday last week.
Enterprise - Tractor drivers were told by the farm invaders not to
continue with land preparation on Oribi. Preparation went on as normal and the police
have confirmed that there is to be no interference with work on these
farms. The farmer on Saratoga was asked to stop planting and he advised
that he was committed and could not turn back now and has
planted.
Macheke/Virginia - On Saturday the invaders started planting maize in the
lands of Castledene Pines. The police went out to the farm but they said
that they would not do anything because the invaders were there under the
authority of the DA. A work stoppage followed. This happened to
another farm in the area. 5km of fencing was stolen from Kudu Range
farm.
Mashonaland West
(South)
Norton - On Donnington Farm there was a new invasion of approximately 20
people from Norton town who are evidently waiting for the District
Administrator. On Phillipore there was a new invasion of 12 people.
On Nyadgori there was a new invasion but the people subsequently moved off
again. On Fort Martin farm (which was fast tracked), an Air Force
helicopter flew over on Friday and circled the seed beds and the lands to check
that the owner was complying with orders not to plant. Until the owner has
got some assurance that violence will not be perpetrated against him as
threatened by wing commander Mazamban on Thursday, the CFU regional office have
advised him that his decision not to plant for the time being is his wisest
choice.
Selous - On Selous Tobacco Estate
there was a visit by a Rural District Council vehicle registration no. 606-311H
regarding fast track resettlement over the weekend.
Chegutu - Despite five reports to
Chegutu Police concerning work stoppages on Lowood Sub A enforced by former farm
workers from Chikanga Farm resettled last year (the farm workers have been
evicted by local Government Councillor who has got a plot on Chikanga), Police
have not reacted as yet. On La Rhone there is a lot of activity with
fences being cut, and scotch carts moved through
etc.
General - The District
Administrator for Chegutu has informed us that he will be fast track resettling
2 farms a day for the foreseeable future. We have been given some of the
names of these farms, and a number of them are not even
listed!
Manicaland:
Mutare: Five Streams
Farm had unauthorised visitors on Saturday who came and pegged three lands using
very short pegs. One vehicle also collected
firewood.
Rusape: On Morrison Farm workers were prevented from
cutting cords. War vets and police have gone out to difuse the
situation.
Headlands: Woodlands Farm which is not gazetted has people trying to take it
over. On Ruanda Farm they
are busy building and Niami Farm has a work stoppage.
Midlands
Shurugwi - On Corrangamite Farm calving cows are still
being chased out of their paddocks.
On Safago, the number of occupiers is about 60 and people have started planting on lands which had
been prepared for planting export flowers.
Gweru - A fast track resettlement party arrived on
Ellesmere Farm over the weekend.
Somabhula - On Ruby Ranch the numbers of occupiers are
fluctuating around 250. They are concentrated around the
homestead where there is not enough water to supply them.
Masvingo
Mwenezi - Another steer slaughtered on Battlefields Ranch. Lesanth Ranch received
an official delegation this past weekend informing the owner of fast track
resettlement to take place. Owner has only received an official section 5
notice. Government evaluators
have contacted the owner of Jabula Ranch
for an appointment to come and evaluate his developments. Notice of
withdrawal from the High Court is in process, despite this, Government
evaluators still want to proceed.
Masvingo East and Central
- A big delegation arrived yesterday on Beaconsfield Farm. Governor was seen attending
this meeting and it is presumed that the official handing over of plots took
place.
Chiredzi - Unknown vehicles have been driving all
over Palm River Ranch for the last
three weekends. They are always full of people. Pegging of plots continue. Some
of these people are from the Chipinge Area.
Eaglemont Ranch reported a
fire which had been started by
the squatters over the weekend.
Gutu / Chatsworth - Nyombi
Farm - In a couple of days 2762 trees have been cut down. (In 7 paddocks). These are being used for firewood and
for making shelters. The DA informed the owner of Chatsworth Farm that official resettlement
will take place on Wednesday 1st November 2000. Owner
reports moving of communal cattle on property and cutting of fences. Notice of
withdrawal from the High Court is in process.
Matabeleland
Insiza
- 30 invaders moved onto Wessels Block farm over the weekend and settled
around the Homestead. The farm has not been listed. There was no response
from the police to remove them.
Ensangu - Squatters have refused to
allow farm owner permission to remove a windmill head for repair, and police have been intimidated
and refuse to accompany the owner to remove the head. After some poaching
arrests a fire was started on Sunday and again today. The fire on Saturday
was started in a paddock of young calves and calving cows. A meeting has
been set down for Friday to calm the situation. Information
received indicates several policemen from Fort Rixon have applied to be
allocated plots on the property. This may account for their lack of
enthusiasm in controlling the rampant poaching, snaring and stock theft on the
property. A meeting scheduled for last Friday with the occupants was
cancelled by the squatters saying they have taken the land and there is nothing
to discuss.
Mberengwa - Maiyere
Ranches. The Zvishavane Land Committee have accepted the Company's
proposals on allocating land in exchange for the de-listing of their other
properties. In the past month or so seven cattle have been snared and four
slaughtered. The situation since the agreement has been brokered, seems
much calmer.
Bubi -
Glen-Gray Resettlement
programme threatened by serving of a restraining order and the presence of local
farmers plus their labour. The programme was cancelled for the day.
Yesterday saw the return of two army vehicles loaded with War Vets plus five
armed soldiers. They forced entry onto the property through the gate,
searched all the premises including staff housing and left again. They
have not been seen today. Fortunately they found only one ill man in the
village, whom they left alone.
Nyamandhlovu - Cawston 30 War Vets arrived on Friday and
started threatening the Farm Manager and labourers. Police defused the
situation.
Seafield/Matabeleland - Concession
Pegging now being done by D.D.F who have pegged these two
properties. Agritex no longer involved. D.D.F not interested in
legality of the situation. Series of fires appear to have
abated.
Matabeleland - Governor Matabeleland
North, is criticizing Commercial Farmers heavily in today's local press for
using the courts to issue restraining orders thus frustrating the re-settlement
exercise.
West Nicholson - Artherstone
Ranch War Vet leader has moved his followers onto the
irrigation lands and old stands, preventing the owner from doing land
preparation. The War Vets have moved off the 12 000 acre section of the
ranch which they burnt down destroying dip handling facilities and three workers
houses, saying they an no longer use it and now require the irrigation
lands. No help has been forthcoming from the authorities yet.
Malcolm Vowles, Deputy Director
(Admin & Projects). Harare 309800-18. ddap@cfu.co.zw