COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION
Farm Invasions And Security Report
Friday 06 September 2002

 This report does not purport to cover all the incidents that are taking place in the commercial farming areas.  Communication problems and the fear of reprisals prevent farmers from reporting all that happens.  Farmers names, and in some cases farm names, are omitted to minimise the risk of reprisals.

THE FOLLOWING ADVERTISEMENT APPEARED IN THE HERALD FRIDAY 06/09/02 FROM ZIMRA (ZIMBABWE REVENUE AUTHORITY)

NOTICE TO ALL FARMERS AND FARM WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LAND IN TERMS OF THE LAND ACQUISITION ACT (CHAPTER 20:10)

TAXATION OF RETRENCHMENT PACKAGES OF

AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYEES

Notice is hereby given to all farmers affected by the above mentioned scheme.

The terminal benefits of agricultural employees affected by the compulsory acquisition of land are taxable.

However, the first $150 000.00 or one third whichever is the greater of the amount of any severance pay, gratuity or similar benefits, other than a pension or cash in lieu of leave, is exempt from tax.

This exemption applies in respect of the first $750 000 only and any amounts above this threshold become taxable in full at normal rates.

Farmers should produce a certificate to the effect that they are retrenching their workers due to the compulsory acquisition of land if the employees are to qualify for this exemption.

A directive should be obtained from ZIMRA for each farm worker who will be paid a retrenchment package.  Where it is not possible to do so, guidance should be sought from the nearest ZIMRA office in order to ensure that tax is deducted correctly.

COMMISSIONER GENERAL

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REGIONAL NEWS

MANICALAND

Middle Save - The farmers had their Section 8's turned over in court, however the OIC advises them to not to go to their farms as there is political turmoil in the area and the Police cannot guarantee their safety.

Chipinge - On Lushoff Farm, 3 more dairy cattle were stolen.

Chimanimani - Clearing and burning on the rise.

Burma Valley - Still plenty of labour unrest, but all seems to be quiet otherwise.

Mutare - There were 2 cases heard this week but were remanded until November.

Odzi - All is quiet.

Nyazura - on Clare Farm, the "war vets" want the irrigation pipes.  The Police told them that unless an agreement was made with the owner then they could not have the pipes.  The "war vets" changed the locks on Clare Farm 05.09.02.  The Police advised the owner to lay a formal complaint.

Nyanga - all appears to be quiet.  One case will be heard 06.09.02.

Headlands - Four cases were heard and remanded until the 10th September for a bail hearing and a further case to be heard on 17th September.    Farmers are still not allowed to return their farms.

MASHONALAND CENTRAL
No report received.

MASHONALAND EAST
Macheke/Virginia - There have been various problems with farmers barricaded in mainly due to S.I.6. wage package problems.    Theft is ongoing: one farm had the manager’s house broken into and badly ransacked.  Other items stolen on other farms include, sprinklers, tobacco asbestos sheeting, 13 head of cattle.   Another farmer had to appear in Court.
Other areas - no reports received.

MASHONALAND WEST (NORTH)
Umboe – at Inyati Farm, a truck loaded with farm equipment was impounded after settlers complained to the Police base on the farm.  The latter was built, set up and has ZESA paid for by the farm owner.  Truck released 04.09.02.

Ayrshire – three farmers were detained in their own yards by labour demanding retrenchment packages.  About 10 farmers are paying various forms of retrenchment, even those who only received a Section 5. Only one farmer is planting tobacco.  Some are trying to finish grading.  At Allan Grange Farm the manager leased a farmhouse and was told by Minister Chombo to move out, as he wants the house.   (Story in The Daily News 04.09.02, page 3). 

Doma - Labour problems experienced.  A farmer was barricaded in his house  by labour demanding payment of retrenchment packages. Labour sees others receiving packages on other farms and demand theirs, regardless of whether the farmer is continuing farming. A2 settlers moving on to one farm.  The D.A. told one farmer he must move off because he wants the farm. Plenty of extortion going on. One farmer had ZW$6 000 000 lifted off him after he had drawn it from the bank at Westgate, Harare. Another farmer paid cheques to his labour outside the bank in Mhangura, which is a safer method.  Others use Fawcetts Security to pay their wages for them.

Chinhoyi -the owner of Athens, Upper Romsey, West Ranch and Dumalan Farms went to court where the Magistrate declined to prosecute because: the bank have not received a Section 5 or 8; and there has been no-one on Athens Farm for a year.  The Magistrate declined to prosecute the Dendadales Farm owner: no Section 8 received, only a section 5 and the owner has not been on the farm for over a year.  

Banket – at Buryhill an A2 settler stopped the farmer from reaping paprika.  An A2 settler threatened to forcibly evict farmer on 31.08.02 and an A2 settler drove 220 cattle out of feed pens and stole the tape so the owner cannot water or feed them. At Rathgar, settlers moved into the homestead. The owner of Mapandaguta Farm is still off the farm. In general, wage packages are causing havoc in the area.   

Tengwe - Retrenchments ongoing. Army personnel have taken over two farms with the help of the police.

Chegutu - The P.A. was visiting with a task force.  Many farmers are evicted at 24 hours notice or less.

Karoi, Trelawney/Darwendale – no report received.  

NEWSFLASH

Farmers with Section 8's on the Umboe Road have been given 72 hours to move by the ZRP. 

MASHONALAND WEST (SOUTH)
No report received.

MASVINGO
Mwenezi - A team of game scouts from National Parks was sent down to this area over the last few days. Bubye River Ranch reports as follows:

The game scouts  arrested 12 poachers over a period of three days, four of whom were arrested and charged and given eight hours community service. These twelve individuals were responsible for poaching the following animals:

28.08.02 - 3 Kudu, 1 Warthog, 2 Zebra, 1 Wildebeest, 1 Impala, 1 Female Eland. 4 poachers given 8 hours community service.

29.08.02 - 1 Giraffe, 1 Wildebeest, 1 Kudu. All cases pending for poachers caught.

30.08.02 - 2 Giraffe, 1 Kudu and 3 Warthog. All cases pending for poachers caught.

National Parks are reported to be returning to base as they have not received a helpful attitude from the Police and are frustrated due to the lack of Police Support. These figures indicate the tip of the iceberg as far as poaching is occurring on these properties.  The Kleinbegin Ranch owner was told he had to be off his property last 26.08.02 due to his Section 8 expiring. He has since packed his belongings and moved off the property.  The Santidza Ranch owner has been charged, is out on remand, paid ZW$10 000 bail and is allowed to return to his property until his set Court Date.  Burning of lands, chopping of trees and more squatting continues on most properties.

Gutu / Chatsworth - A2 Settlers continue to threaten owners they would like to begin ploughing and if not allowed to do so they will summon the “Youth League” to sort out their complaints.  At Makanya Farm the Ministry of Lands told the owner they must give half of their property to Government and come into their offices to sign LA Forms should they wish to remain and retain a portion of their land. If they do not comply they will be served with a Section 8 Order and therefore get no land. At Mazongororo Farm the Ministry of Lands official informed the labour that the owner must come and collect all his belongings from the house. The owner has offered several properties through ZJRI and wishes to retain this property. The Nyororo Farm owner was approached by Ministry of Land officials and was told that he must hand over half or “a portion” of this property or a Section 8 Order will be issued and then he will be left with nothing.

Chiredzi – five farmers (Phil Tennant, Robin Crawford, Ben Lagesse, Alan Souchon and John Taylor) appeared in Court 06.08.02 after being charged for staying on their properties. The Magistrate offered her sympathy and agreed this whole procedure was incorrect, however she also added that she was under immense political pressure from the Governor. As a result the Magistrate would not change the bail conditions or drop the case. She informed them that a letter was needed from the Ministry of Lands before she could do anything. On speaking with Mr. Masanu, Ministry of Lands Head Official, Masvingo, he was uncertain as to whether he would be able to write that letter or not due to a directive sent out from the National office concerning letters written by officials on the ground. The court case has been remanded until 09.09.02. The Public Prosecutor was ordered that he must obtain a subpoena or summons for a Ministry of Lands official to appear in Court on this date. On speaking with the farmers they are of the impression that this procedure could go on and on with the Court case being continually remanded.

Masvingo - Nothing to report.

05.09.02

.  General comments - increased amount of fires on properties. Continued unabated destruction and poaching is rampant.

Gutu / Chatsworth  - at Nuwejaar Farm one steer was chopped on the head and killed early 05.09.02 while grazing on a salt block. Over the weekend four other head of cattle were reported stolen. Northdale Farmreported two cattle stolen last weekPlenty of veldfires reported on Rossal and Chatsworth Farms Three properties: Mazongororo Farm Nyororo Farm Makanya Farm had continued harassment by phone and visits from Government Land officials with the threat to hand over half or part of their properties otherwise they will receive a Section 8 and have no land.  In general, up to twenty youth have been seen at one time with packs of hunting dogs, presumably hunting for game.

Mwenezi - Fires reported on properties. Extreme poaching continuing. Continued destruction of environment.

MIDLANDS
No report received.

MATABELELAND
No report received.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

press 

 

 

 

6 September 2002.
Regime blocks food aid while the people of Zimbabwe starve.
 
The WSSD has allowed world leaders to detach themselves briefly from pressing domestic concerns and focus on the environmental and socio-economic issues that threaten the long term viability of our planet. Strengthening the global consensus on sustainable development and turning sustainable development into a global reality is essential and we welcome the fact that sustainable development is firmly back on the international agenda. Words now need to be turned into action; otherwise the Summit will be at risk of being dismissed as an expensive talk shop.
 
Despite the noble efforts made by the majority of world leaders to make tangible progress on the key issues influencing sustainable development, it is clear that a minority of leaders exploited the summit for crude, opportunistic propaganda. Mr Mugabe stands accused of being the biggest culprit of such despicable hijacking. His romanticism with anti-colonialism is tired nationalism, which fails to appreciate the fact that what the people are concerned about is the creation of wealth and a better life for the people of Zimbabwe.

 

Mr Mugabe has no interest in sustainable development; instead he is more concerned with self-interest and self-preservation. In fact the environment in Zimbabwe is one of the biggest victims of Mugabe’s land policies. There have been dramatic rises in the poaching of wild animals and thousands of trees have been cut down and sold as firewood by resettled farmers desperate for any means of survival. Mugabe blatantly abused the Summit platform to misrepresent Zimbabwe and distort global understanding of the reality of the crisis engulfing Zimbabwe.
 
Human rights abuses, state sponsored violence, disregard for the rule of law, enforced poverty and deliberate starvation were all issues that Mr Mugabe failed to mention when presenting his own view of Zimbabwe's crisis to delegates in Johannesburg.
 
Mr Mugabe may reflect on the Summit as a big own goal. He tirade against Mr Blair and the West only resonated with a tiny minority of delegates and was not representative of the views shared by Africans as a whole. The crisis is not about Mugabe and Blair, far from it, it is about the lives of the people of Zimbabwe that Mugabe has put to ruin. Africa as a whole is on the march, guided by such progressive leaders such as President Mbeki, President Wade and President Obassanjo. They have a vision for Africa, which deserves the support of the international community. The international community must not judge Africa by the standards of dictators such as Sam Nujoma and Mr Mugabe.

 

Mr Mugabe's arguments that he is fighting a neo-colonialist agenda simply serve to underline the absurdity and irrelevance of his regime. Mr Mugabe should begin to realise that regimes characterised by bad governance, endemic corruption, and disregard for the rule of law are out of sink with the noble guiding principles that are guiding the increasing number of progressive governments in Africa and shaping the future of our continent and its place in an increasingly globalised world.
 
Contrary to Mugabe's speech, Zimbabwe is spiralling out of control with the people of Zimbabwe being forced to suffer incredible hardships at the hands of a regime indifferent to their plight. Given Mugabe's attempts to distort the global understanding of Zimbabwe, the MDC would like to inform the world of truth.
 
Food Situation
The food situation in Zimbabwe has reached dangerous levels with nearly half the population at risk of starvation. The illegitimate Mugabe regime has abdicated its responsibility to feed its own people and is more concerned with punishing those suspected of opposition the regime by denying them food aid. As we represent the views of the majority of people in Zimbabwe and are the true victors of presidential election, we have a clear mandate and moral duty to act and ensure that people do not starve. We have provided funds to the Feed Zimbabwe Trust to assist with the procuring of maize from outside the country and distribute through non-partisan church networks. It is a race against the clock to prevent mass starvation in Zimbabwe, the time for action is now and we intend to take action."

 

Sadly, this maize has been denied entry by the Mugabe regime. It is both a shame and an absurdity that the regime declares the food situation as a national disaster but goes on to refuse food while the people of Zimbabwe starve. It is clear that the regime has failed to feed the people of Zimbabwe, yet it wants to deny other people who have the capacity and will to provide the food.
 
Economic Situation
Zimbabwe's economy has surprised many for surviving as long as it has. The popular belief persists however; that the Mugabe regimes continue mismanagement of the economy will lead to its eventual collapse over the short rather than medium or long term. With external debt approaching US$1 billion, unsustainable budget deficits, inflation at 125% and the economy predicted to contract by 12% this year the outlook does not look good. The result will means more misery for Zimbabweans as the level of poverty increases and the core public services such as health and education collapse due to lack of funding. The rapid decline of Zimbabwe’s economy is destroying the very fabric of our society and will take years to rebuild."

 

In urban areas, there is rampant mass starvation and mass poverty underlined by a shortage of basic commodities due to the depreciation of the Zimbabwe dollar, fixed at US$55 to 1 for four years now, and now trading at $700 to US$1 on the parallel market. This has negatively affected prices of scarce products on the parallel market, which are now three times on the average price on the supermarkets.

 

Five years ago it was estimated that 75% of the population was living below the poverty datum line. Today, at least 85% of Zimbabweans are living below the poverty datum line.

 

The health system is close to total collapse, especially in the state managed system where there are critical shortages of drugs, food, and even cleaning materials. This is a direct result of the fact that government has substantially reduced budget allocations to the health system preferring to use the money on funding the nefarious activities of militias and the increasing the size of the cabinet, which has been comically, named the ‘war cabinet’.

 

50 percent of school going children are not in school, and undeniably, this affects the girl child the most. 65 percent of all girl children are not in schools. Those that are in school are faced with large class sizes, a shortage of teachers, low teacher morale due to political violence and intimidation and poor working conditions. Books and other inputs to the school system are virtually unobtainable.

 

Council Elections
It is now impossible for the forthcoming local elections to be free and fair. Mugabe's has used the cover of the food crisis and the high profile eviction of white farmers to launch a systematic attack against MDC structures and supporters in order to paralyse their campaigning efforts for the local elections. Widespread police collusion with Zanu PF militia and war veterans has led to the abduction of MDC candidates, supporters being arrested and a significant number of MDC candidates withdrawing from election process. We cannot campaign in most areas, we are denied access to the voters role, a fundamental benchmark for any free and fair election and have no recourse to the rule of law. Those magistrates which rule against Zanu PF risk attack, as demonstrated in Chimanimani and Chipinge recently.

 

As we prepare for the rural council elections, the regime has once again garnered its strategies of intimidation and violence to prevent our nominees from registering. Top on the list is the issue of intimidation and violence. Some of our candidates withdrew or did not turn up on nomination day. Those who were present had to then run for dear life after threats of attack by Zanu PF supporters. We have reported cases of physical attacks in particular in Chegutu, where there was the attack on the district chairman’s house. Another candidate from Zvimba South was also attacked at the nomination center, and after that no one went to register because they were afraid. The same situation prevailed in Muzarabani and Shamva. In the farming areas throughout the country, we did not have candidates because of the high concentration of war veterans who invaded the farms.

 

Another issue arising is that the Registrar General’s office requested long birth certificates on the last minute. This demand was delivered to us verbally less than five days before nomination, there is no legal backing for it, and so some of our candidates were disqualified. In some parts of Manicaland, for example in Chipinge, nomination centres were demanding that nominees should be cleared by council, contrary to electoral laws. This requirement is for candidates and not nominees.

 

Original sites were also shifted to ZRP camps, and this is clearly a manoeuvre meant to intimidate MDC candidates. Elsewhere, MDC candidates were told that their party had not paid nomination fees and again this is contrary to the law because there is no fee required. In some areas for example Magamba ward in Mberengwa West, where Zanu PF failed to field a candidate for nomination, they extended the closing time for the nomination court until a name was supplied.

 

*NB. The Election Directorate of the MDC is in the process of compiling a dossier of what happened during the nomination court yesterday through out the country yesterday and this is available to you from the information department.
The democratic space in Zimbabwe disappearing at a fast rate and democratic forces in Zimbabwe have a battle on their hands to protect this vital element of our society. This is a battle we cannot lose, we owe it to our children and future generations of Zimbabweans. Despite the odds being stacked against us, we will continue to fight the local elections and maintain our position as the flag bearer for democracy in Zimbabwe. A failure to do so would be a betrayal to the people of Zimbabwe and a victory for Mugabe. Mugabe is desperate claim that Zanu have destroyed MDC control of urban areas and portray the party as a party that is on its knees and on its way out. Mr Mugabe should not be so naive, he may subvert the electoral process yet again to achieve desired outcomes but he cannot deceive the Zimbabwean people. They know who the real victors are, they know who has legitimate authority in the country and represents the will of the people. Our time will come, just wait and see.

 

 

 

Morgan Tsvangirai,
MDC President.

 

All that is necessary for EVIL to prevail is for GOOD people to do NOTHING

Subject: Heartbreak

 

 

 

The dawn had not yet come, but the cocks were starting to crow, as the orange streaks filtered across the early morning sky, and I lay in bed listening to the sounds that were as familiar to us both, as breathing the fresh morning air.
Today was very different, this was our last morning on our beloved farm, and we both lay distraught and sobbing as we would hear this no more, certainly not whilst, the evil dictator, Robert Mugabe and his henchmen ruled this devastated and starving country.
I came as a 22 year old bride to this wild bit of bush, young, full of life and love, and fell instantly under the spell of the beautiful Rhodesian/Zimbabwean bush.  And now 35 years later, we were being forced off our land, so that some "fat cat chef" of the Mugabe elite, could claim our home, our life blood, and our children and grandchildren's inherited land.
It is the start of spring in Zimbabwe, and for those of you who have visited my beautiful country, will know that for farmers, this is the start of a new season.  And a new season, brings with it, an uplifting feeling of joy and life that is about to start a new cycle.  All one's hopes and dreams are started at the beginning of spring, all past bad dreams and omens are forgotten, past droughts and floods, invasions of army worm and other fungi, hail storms with their punishing damage, everything is forgotten in that rush of adrenalin, at the first sight of the Msasa trees unfurling their new colourful array of leaves, in a paintbox of russets, burgundies, golds, pinks, and finally emerald greens.
No longer to hear the women singing on their way to work, the men shouting greetings to each other, the roar of tractors as they set out for work, to till the rich soils.  This farm has been silent for 18 months, as Mugabe and his thugs, have murdered, raped and reduced all within their path to pathetic and sad ruination.  Cattle starved and hamstrung, domestic pets, stoned to death, beautiful trees wantonly cut down, because their crime was to house inquisitive monkeys, who would raid their pathetic attempt at "farming".  Where once fields of green wheat waved in the wind, with underground irrigation piping to ensure bread for all, now lie fallow and full of weeds, the piping broken and destroyed.  Fences stolen to make snares to trap the wild game, introduced into the small game park we started, to utilise land not suitable for cropping or cattle.  Don't listen to their lies of "drought"!!  Sure there was a small dry spell, but all could have been avoided by irrigating from dams, throughout the country, which were all over 90% full!!
Giving land to the "landless peasants", is a total lie, it is a "free for all Ministers, Police and Army hierarchy, and Zanu pf party thugs, to lay their hands on property that they have not paid for.  In the free world it is called "looting and theft"!  when you take something that you have not earned!
Our millions of dollars of irrigation, is confiscated and stolen, we are not allowed to take our equipment with us, it must be left behind, to be used and abused, then abandoned, destroyed for ever.
My husband's family have been on the farms for 80 years, and many of our workers, are third generation born on this property.  Mugabe and his henchmen, ZANU pf have destroyed this country, land is NOT THE ISSUE, just straight theft, rape, and a blind rage to destroy a people who were sick to death of his murderous reign, and the systematic looting of the country's wealth, at the expense of his people.
No more to roam the grassy fields, with dogs at heel, and birds atop, the kudu with twitching ears, the cough of the leopard in the dead of night; the roar of the river in flood, the smell of the tobacco curing in the barns, the hoot of the owls that roost in the trees, the glorious smell of the first rains on the earth, after the long dry winter.  The lowing of the cattle, and the gentle whistle of the herdsman as he walks his charges out to the pastures.
Dear God, if you are listening to our prayer, save our wonderful country and its people from the evil that pervades this land, bring us peace, oh Lord we beseech, and rid us of this nazi beast.  Zimbabwe cries out for justice, law and order, the return of people's human rights, and an end to the murder, rape, torture and theft, by the ruling party, and may the free world stop standing by, and end this hell on earth, and bring the perpetuators to justice at the court in the Hague!  Don't wait until 6 million people are starved and tortured into submission.
I end with this poem to all farmers in Zimbabwe, as my heart breaks and my tears flow, at such vast destruction of my Beloved Country Zimbabwe.

ZIMBABWE FARMERS, TRUE SONS OF THE SOIL

 

NO GREATER LOVE HATH A "SON OF THE SOIL",

THAN BENEATH BLUE SKY TO WORK AND TOIL.
TO WATCH A CARPET OF FINGERS GREEN,

RISE UP IN ROWS NEAT AND CLEAN.

FOR ONLY THEY FEEL MOTHER EARTH'S BEAT,

AS THEY RAISE THEIR CATTLE OF MILK AND BEEF.
GOD SMILES ON THE MAN WHO NURTURES HIS EARTH,

INCREASES HIS GIFTS AND WIDENS HIS GIRTH!!

TO BREAK A ZIMBABWE FARMER'S SOUL,

IS TO DENY HIM THE RIGHT TO DISC AND HOE,

GIVE ME YOUR SOIL, DRY AND WEEDY,

AND I WILL FEED MY NATION'S NEEDY.

GIVE ME THE LABOUR TO TOIL WITH ME,

FOR WE ARE A FAMILY AS A SPREADING TREE,

THE TRUNK, THE BRANCHES, LEAVES AND ALL,

ALL TRADITIONALLY LINKED TO THIS "SON OF THE SOIL".

IN TIMES OF PEACE AND GENTLE CALM,

HIS HEART EXPANDS LIKE AN EVER REACHING PALM,

AND TOGETHER WITH HIS FAITHFUL WIFE,

THEY FACE TOGETHER, LIFE, AND WEATHER'S STRIFE.

YOU CAN THROW AT HIM, ALL MANNER OF ILLS,

AND FAITHFULLY HE WILL CONTINUE TO TILL,

BE IT FLOODS, OR BE IT DROUGHTS,

STEELY ENDEAVOUR, HE STRONGLY FLOUTS.

AND WHEN A NEIGHBOUR IS IN DESPERATE NEED,

A STEADY HAND, IS A FRIEND INDEED.
NEVER DOUBT MY PRIDE FOR THESE GIGANTIC MEN,

WHOSE AWESOME STAMINA, MOST CANNOT KEN

 

FOR ONE I MARRIED, AND TWO I BRED,

WE MIGHT BE DOWN, BUT WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT DEAD!
SO THROW WHAT YOU MAY AT THESE "EARTHY SONS",

THIS EVIL REGIME, THEY WILL OVERCOME.

A NEW DAWN AWAITS THE FAITHFUL AND BRAVE,

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHOSE ROOTS ARE ENGRAVED,

IN THE SOIL OF THEIR FARMS, AND THE ROADS THAT THEY PAVED.
FARMERS AND WIVES ,TAKE THIS POEM TO YOUR HEART,

FOR OF THIS HERITAGE, YOU TOO ARE A PART.

IT IS AN HONOUR TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS TEAM,

AND MAY THE SUN UPON YOU, ALWAYS BEAM,

MAY YOUR RIVERS ALWAYS FLOW, AND YOUR DAMS BE FULL,

YOUR COWS NEVER EMPTY, AND YOUR SIRES FULL OF BULL!
YOUR CROPS EVERGREEN, AND YOUR EYES TO THE SKY,

AND ON THIS, YOUR LIBERATION DAY, FLY HIGH.

 

PW