Zimbabwe -- Farm Invasions Report

Farm Invasions Report - March 27 2002
CFU
Date posted:Wed 27-Mar-2002
Date published:Wed 27-Mar-2002

Wedza - Chingamere, Mtemwa, and Hungwe in the Ruzawi River Valley, were subjected to attacks by a group of 12 to 16 during the night of 24.03.02.

The mob broke through the homestead security fence at Chingmere; the owner declined to meet them on observing their menacing mood. For half an hour they stoned the house and vehicles near by.

They left to attack the farm village at about 2200 hrs, gathering extra people to join the gang on the way. All the workers were beaten up - 7 severely, and 6 of those were taken to a neighbouring farm and beaten up further.

The mob, armed with sticks and other weapons, went on to beat up other workers at Mtemwa and Hungwe. At Mtemwa, 56 labourers were beaten up with thick sticks by the now 30-strong gang, led by "war vet" Cde Moyo.

Seven bruised, five hospitalised and the balance very bruised. Of the hospitalised victims, one has lost hearing and one is a pregnant girl.

At Hungwe Farm, the group beat up 60 people in the farm village, and two women were raped, one being a girl of thirteen years of age.

The Komani Farm owners, Esigodini, suffer continual harassment. They are packing up and vacating the farm.

There was a herd of 114 registered Afrikaner and Tuli heifers comprising two age groups. Of this number only 39 were found when "war vets" let them out, which slept in the dip kraal on the night of 24.03.02.

During the night the gate was opened, the heifers removed, the gate closed and the animals driven into the Railway Reserve. A train hit nine, with seven killed outright and two so badly they had to be destroyed. Out of a herd of 114 heifers, only 30 remain.

Nyamandlovu – the owner of Hilda’s Kraal was abducted and his hand held radio taken off him. He was taken to the Ticehurst Police Station with 15 men and 30 men were left at his farmhouse with his partner trapped in the house. The situation was resolved at the Police Station and he had to pay his ZW$ 60 000.00 to cover the charge laid against him.

The Lot 1A of The Grove owner is still not allowed to go back to his property in chegutu, and the ZANU (PF) youth base continues to function, causing general harassment and contributing to the increased level of theft. Police maintain allowing the owner back is a political issue, and the millions of dollars lost in revenue has nothing to do with them.

Norton - Looted property, including fridges, freezers, stoves and furniture, was found on Gowrie Farm close to Terry Ford’s house.

Police have not allowed the Zimbabwe National SPCA to uplift the arrested settlers’ dogs, which will starve if no one is allowed to take care of them. SPCA left food for the weekend for them.

Information received at Ashton, Featherstone, was that ± 350 cattle moved off to grazing on next door farm, have been driven back on to the farm to be parcelled out to settlers/ workers as retrenchment packages.

Chipinge - On Stillemeer Farm, 18 Friesland cows went missing, and the police reacted very well.

On Nyatutu Farm, asbestos sheets and over 10 000 m of barbed wire went missing, which has been reported to the police.

Section 7's were handed out to KC Estate (K Gifford) and Hofstede Rusape - A group of 14 people arrived at Chitora Farm, claiming they were there to “sort out some guys that were stepping out of line.” Police defused the situation.

Bindura - The owner of Chimberi Farm was given three days to remove his cattle and horses from his farm by 25.03.02. The settlers spoke to the owner on the appointed day, and left after negotiations to “think about the discussions”.

They said the Governor and police were "nothing" and they were now in charge! There is a total work stoppage on Banwell Farm.

Harare West - The situation on Danbury Park remains much the same although visitors have been allowed entry for ten minutes at a time.

Horseshoe - A2 settlers have begun to arrive in the area. The owner of Rushpeak Farm was ordered to vacate his farm along with all the workers. Nothing has happened after 24 hours.

The owner of Manovi Farm phoned ZTA and explained the situation (the ongoing theft of bananas on his farm) to them. They in turn contacted the National Land Task Force and by that afternoon the DA, Police, war veterans, and the Zanu PF were on his farm, attempting to put a stop to the theft and harassment. The next day another lorry load of bananas was taken, but police said a roadblock would be put in place to capture the culprits. No reports have been received as yet. 24- hour eviction notices are being issued in the area.

Mvurwi - (The names of the following farms have been omitted via a request from the farmers themselves) Some farms have been visited by Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, stating they are to grow wheat.

One farmer was informed there were settlers who wished to grow wheat. When he said he did not have any settlers, the officials said they would allocate some to him!

The Zanu (PF) youth informed a farmer he and his labour were to be evicted as the farm now belongs to them. The police intervened and managed to resolve the issue.

A farm was visited by the leading "war vet", who told the workers the farm should not be listed. He said they should phone him in a week's time to see what they should do next. Indications on the ground are a witch-hunt is to start this week for MDC supporters.

Mazowe/Concession – there are continued problems on Danbury Park Farm Following the invasion of the security area by "war vets", the "war vets" were addressed by Chief Chiweshe, brought in a police vehicle by the Inspector from Marlborough Police Station, on 20.03.02.

The Inspector came out again the next day, spoke to the "war vets", then to the owner in the company of two "war vets". He assured the owner they would be allowed free access around the farm, into the sheds and allowed visitors. He said he could not move the "war vets" from the yard, but guards could be stationed in the yard to see no more is looted.

The owner said his labour are too intimidated and that as soon as the Inspector left, his exit would be barricaded. In spite of the inspector’s assurances, as soon as he left, the barriers were back in place.

The FA Chairman visited Propol for assistance in removing the "war vets". In spite of promises, there has been no visit to date.

On 22.03.02, the "war vets" said Chief Chiweshe instructed them to advise the labour to be out of their houses by 23.03.02 and to collect their gratuities from the owner.

Again the Marlborough Police Station inspector came to the farm and denied Chief Chiweshe had instructed this.

He spoke with the "war vets" and addressed the labour, which defused the situation to some extent. The labour is not comfortable with the level of intimidation to which they are being subjected and would like to return to work.

Although the owner has retained grain for them, the "war vets" have denied access to it, so there is a food shortage in the village.

For over a week valuators from the Ministry of Agriculture have requested the owner present goes to their offices to look at the valuation prepared for a sub division of the farm, which is under a Section 5. Due to the problems on the farm, he had been unable to go.

On 22.03.02, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture phoned to establish the reasons for not coming in.

On arriving at the offices, the valuators at the Ministry of Agriculture thought he was there to negotiate a price and sign an Agreement of Sale, were unable to produce a breakdown of how they reached the very low figure offered. As the farm is a family concern, the owner was unable to sign anything. Ongoing pungwes disturb his elderly parents still.

Tsatsi – the manager of Blackfordby farm is still unable to return to his house. He has suffered continued harassment from Clr Nyahongo, the only Zanu (PF) councillor in the Harare City Council. Clr Nyahongo refuses to let him back on to the farm, and continually interferes with the operations on the farm, chasing off the workers, manager, clerks and mechanic regularly saying he is “firing” them.

He holds political meetings in the security complex, forcing or threatening his way in each time. After every meeting, within 24 hrs, there is massive loss of electrical goods.

The aftermath of one meeting resulted in the loss of 40 hydrants. Clr Nyahonga states he wants the manager’s house for an office and, in spite of good response from the Waterfalls police, continually threatens the labour.

Wedza – on Skoonveld, "war vet" Murewa forced entry into the Bickleigh house, and moved in, saying he had done so to protect the owner of Skoonveld as the Zanu (PF) youth were coming to kill him. He also demanded mealie meal.

The labour on Lushington was beaten up and four labourers told they had to go to the base camp. The "war vets" at the camp claim they know nothing about this order. Some Ndebele workers on the farm were beaten up more severely than the others. The perpetrators state this was retribution for the owner holding MDC meetings with them – a fabrication.

The injured refused to be taken to the clinic as they said they would be beaten up again if seen in the company of the owner. Some were unable to walk.

On 17.03.02, a Zanu PF official arrived from Harare at Saltash and said his agenda was to get all farmers off the farms.

On 18.03.02 the labour had information the farm was to be looted, and on 19.02.03 the workshops were looted and ± ZW$ 4 million worth of equipment stolen.

On 20.03.02 the labour were chased away and the youth ransacked the house stealing anything they could carry, which they loaded on a blue lorry from the base camp at Chop Chop Store. Diesel was also stolen. This gang are very aggressive and put up a roadblock between Saltash and Dollanstown. The response from the police has been very poor.

At Dollanstown, looting took place. The owner went with Support Unit on 21.03.02 and observed locks on doors to sheds and barns had been smashed and doors opened. Doors had also been opened in the homestead and outbuildings.

The owner, whilst in the company of police/Support Unit details observed youths at the barns cooking meat from a cow they illegally slaughtered. The police left without making any arrests.

After the owner had come to an agreement with police to remove his cattle from his farm (he is being forcibly evicted) youth arrived and prevented the loading of the cattle.

On Mt Arthur, a tractor and land rover have been stolen. The initial estimate of losses through looting is ZW$ 40 million.

At Chakadenga, all labour was ordered to stop working by settlers and the owner told to pay off the workers and vacate the property within 2 hours. Ten youths chased the labour into a confined space. Two tractors have disappeared and police were informed and reacted after five and a half hours. Negotiations have taken place and are ongoing.

Uno and Idube report switch gear stolen, while Dudley reports switch gear stolen and a cow slaughtered.

On Skoonveld 7 bulling heifers were stolen and the herdsman threatened. Brent reports a DDF Tractor ploughing.

On Exeter vehicles driven by plot holders, mainly from Grasslands Research Station, arrived and the occupants broke the lock on the main gate.

On 22.03.02, Daskop reported that, at 2000 hrs, an unknown number of youths invaded the house yard and then the house. the occupants are an elderly retired couple who lease the house from the farm owner. The couple were barricaded in one of their rooms until one farmer managed to rescue the elderly lady at 2130 hrs; the elderly gent was released at 0130 hrs on 23.03.02.

Mid- morning the police arrived and stopped the owner from removing his property, saying that the youths were acting illegally and the police would not allow them to return. The couple have had property, food and liquor looted, but the value has yet to be determined.

At Mushangwe, on 23.03.02, at approx. 2000 hrs a group of about 60 people arrived at the gate and demanded entry. The owner eventually agreed to dialogue with one representative, but on opening the gate all 60 pushed through. The owner managed to get back into the house and lock up. The front door was smashed and the group entered the house, breaking another interior door. The owner and his wife retreated to the bedroom, where they remained for a short while before being able to escape outside. Part of the group outside saw this, caught them and for the next four hours questioned the owner, accusing him of holding illegal meetings etc. The group inside helped themselves to all the food and drinks. A cell phone was stolen.

Police arrived at about midnight and the situation was under control at 0200 hrs. Assessment of damage to property is ongoing.

At Showers, again on 23.03.02 at approx. 0830 hrs, Zanu (PF) youth from Glen Isla came on to the farm and beat up a senior foreman.

Monte Cristo reported a new farm invasion on 23.03.02 at 100 hrs, with Chief Svosve reportedly involved.

The next day at 1430 hrs, the invaders demanded the farm workers vacate their farm housing.

At Rocklands on 23.03.02, a blue tractor arrived with over 15 Zanu (PF) youth looking for the owner to beat up.

The Rapid farm owner was told to evacuate by 25.03.02. the people involved were lead by the Rufaro Farm foreman.

The Cloverholme owner was served with a Section ‘7’. Chingamere, Mtemwa,) and Hungwe in the Ruzawi River Valley, were subjected to attacks by a group of 12 to 16 during the night of 24.03.02.

The mob broke through the homestead security fence at Chingmere; the owner declined to meet them on observing their menacing mood. For half an hour they stoned the house and vehicles near by. 27 windowpanes were smashed, roofing sheets damaged, two security lights broken and the windows in the doublecab parked outside were smashed.

They left to attack the farm village at about 2200 hrs, gathering extra people to join the gang on the way. all the workers were gathered together and beaten - 7 of them severely, and 6 of those who were badly beaten were taken to a neighbouring farm and beaten further.

Little damage was done to the farm village but on departing the mob threatened to return at Easter and warned the workers had better not be working for a white man on their return.

The mob, armed with sticks and other weapons, went on to beat up other workers at Mtemwa and Hungwe.

At Mtemwa, 56 labourers were beaten up with thick sticks by the now 30-strong gang, led by "war vet" Cde Moyo. Seven bruised, five hospitalised and the balance very bruised. Of the hospitalised victims, one has lost hearing and one is a pregnant girl.

At Hungwe Farm, the group beat up 60 people in the farm village, and two women were raped, one being a girl of thirteen years of age.

Harare South – at Canterbury two people arrived with a note from Fresnaye farm base demanding oxen, mealie meal and money for sugar. The request was denied.

Edinburgh. reports Agritex is pegging for the eleventh time. The owner saw them cutting part of a settler’s house with an axe and commented on it. The Agritex officers laughed and said the settlers would not be coming back.

War vet Chidagwa, who has been away for several weeks, returned to Auks Nest and called a meeting including the neighbouring farm labour. He told the workers to stop work as he was going to allocate the land. In answer to the labour questioning under whose authority he would give out plots, he replied government. The labour told him to go away and return with a government official. He left after he was threatened.

Featherstone – a total of 2250 head of cattle on four farms have now been left unattended for four weeks without dipping or counting.

The Kuruman owner, son and their wives were forced off on 22.03.02 and told to take their property with them and that anything left will become the property of the settlers. Dairy cows were permitted to remain until 26.02.03. all the Rainbow farm workers were evicted from the farm village.

The farmhouses and workshops on Gelukwerwacht, Wildebeest Laagte, Forestdale and Pennyfather have been broken into with extensive theft of electrical equipment, clothing, foodstuffs, furniture, and other looting.

Firearms have been stolen from one farm. the Driehoek Farm owner received a warning to vacate the farm. Police were informed and situation defused.

Retrenchment packages have been extorted on Gelukwerwacht, Oasis, Uitkyk, Pennyfather and Wildebeest Laagte.

Attempts to extort gratuities have been made on Oasis, Hazledene, Dover, Kuruman ‘A’, Versailles, Ashton and Knockholt. to a large extent, these have been sorted out by NEC and Labour Office with the police concurring.

Beach Farm’s labour is being beaten and threatened nightly in the presence of the local MP, DA and other officials.

the Kuruman ‘A’ owner and his wife were told by ± 60 aggressive/abusive settlers to vacate the property by 0600 hrs on 23.3.02. Provincial Officials told the owner this action is illegal.

Representation was made to the DA and the Lands Committee, who said that "since he knew he had to be off the farm last year why was he now trying to stop the eviction". The owner is preparing to leave.

This farm is an active dairy, milking ± 100 cows. The owner will dispose of all dairy cattle.

Workers on Versailles were chased out of the farm village by representatives of the Lands Committee and youth.

They were told to tell the owner to remove 700 head of cattle and vacate the homestead, and that no commercial farmers would be left south of the Ngesi river by the weekend.

Dispol Minor attended with the owner’s son. Again representation to Provincial HQ elicited assurance the action was illegal. Matters were temporarily resolved and workers went back to their houses.

Pennyfather reported that of the 1200 cattle left on the farm, 400 have been located and are being moved off.

The Nyamazaan Farm manager and his wife were told to be off the farm by midday, 23.03.02. Workers are being paid retrenchment packages.

At Vergenoeg, a Section 5 for Vergenoeg Farm in Harare District was served on this farm.

Sable Flats reported a pegging team arrived to re-demarcate plots on property for the fourth or fifth time.

Information received at Ashton was that ± 350 cattle moved off to grazing on next door farm, have been driven back to be parcelled out to settlers/workers as retrenchment package.

Beatrice – at Argyle Ranch two pick-ups arrived - an Isuzu, registration No. 596-448T and a white Mazda B1600 registration No. 251-954Q. the occupants went to Chitzindie for a shooting spree. it appears they shot eight Kudu. a report was made to OIC Turisunda and Inspectors Sibanda and Moyo - no report numbers were given. One pick-up was still on the farm and the animals were still being skinned at midday.

Macheke/Virginia - Showers Farm reported to Cnst. Msipa, that a 2 year old giraffe was snared by settlers, value ZW$ 170 000.00.

the owner of Drylawhill was told to give all workers letters stating length of service, names and ID Numbers, and character references. This was apparently “to weed out undesirables”.

Mignon Farm has an ongoing problem, which has lasted for 4 days. Police and Mr Matatse attended on the afternoon of 25.03.02. the "war vet" refused to do as he was told by these officials and says he will only listen to Chief Mangwende.

The owner of Warren Farm was told he and the labour have to leave the farm. There appears to be a confrontation between the farm children and settlers’ kids. The farm children will be spoken to, and hopefully things will return to normal.

Castledene Pines reports the "war vets" have a problem with one of the workers, and accuse him of being an MDC supporter. A meeting will be held 26.03.02 to resolve the issue.

Nyagadzi Farm labour reported the "war vets" wanted them out of their houses by 24.03.02.

Springdale Farm labour was told by "war vets" they must be out of their houses ASAP.

Morning Star reported Agritex had arrived, showing people around "their" new plots.

Faroe Farm reported people are inspecting the farm with regard to A2 resettlement, arriving in a white Nissan doublecab.

The owner of Nyadema Farm reported a Mr. Samunda, the acting DA of Marondera, previously from Mtoko, informed the farmer he was “looking over his 147 ha plot”.

Elikas Vous Farm reported a white land cruiser with people in it, checking all the lands.

Koodoo Range/Exeter Farm reported a Peugeot touring around the lands. The owner suspects the occupants are army personnel as he has seen them before at the same lands. roofing was stolen off the dip building and taken away with a scotch cart.

Springdale Farm had three labourers evicted. Police refuse to do anything about it unless the farmer is present.

Nyagadzi Farm had the threat of labour being evicted, and again Police refuse to do anything about it unless the farmer is present.

Nyadora Farm reported a build up of people at Virginia Store. It was understood that these people would proceed to Journeys End Farm (C. Palmer). Sebastian, the "war vet" councillor, told them to disperse, or Support Unit would be called.

The Journey’s end owner later reported the youths wanted to build a camp on his farm.

both Royal Visit and Hazeldene Farm reported they had requests for transport for a meeting at Rufaro Farm on 24.03.02. Both refused to give transport. The meeting is apparently to discuss Independence celebrations.

Banket - Newlands Estates received a Section 8 on 23.03.02. the owner was told on 25.03.02 at 0700 hrs, to move off his farm. the lock was stolen from the gate and wood is being stolen from his barns.

Sonop Farm reported that on 25.03.02, an ambush was set up at the farm, comprising 4 men armed with AKs.

Support Unit eventually reacted, but the armed men had already left in a white Twin cab. One man was identified later that day and arrested by Security Services and handed over to the Police.

Buryhill Farm has a work stoppage, with the perpetrators demanding five suspected MDC supporters be fired.

Darwendale - Nicotina Farm received a Section 8. the Darwendale area has received 126 Section 8s to date.

Karoi - Yawanda Farm and Laughing Hills Farm owners were threatened with eviction.

Heskeith Park Estate had graffiti painted on buildings with "go back to Britain" and the farm village houses were painted with "Zvoka ku Masha" which, loosely translated, means “go back to your home”.

Norton - Looted property, including fridges, freezers, stoves and furniture, was found on Gowrie Farm close to Terry Ford’s house.

Police have not allowed Zimbabwe National SPCA to uplift the arrested settlers’ dogs, which will starve if no one is allowed to take care of them. SPCA left food for the weekend for them.

Selous - On Northwood Farm the owner eventually moved out of his house three months ago, due to continual harassment. The keys were handed in to the DA.

The owner’s homestead, which was a large double-storey building, has been completely trashed with the roof taken off, window frames taken out, and the parquet floor uplifted.

On Mount Carmel Farm a window frame was taken out of one of the sheds, and reports wire stolen and a cow slaughtered.

Police still have not uplifted the settlers responsible for nearly killing the cattle foreman three weeks ago.

Chegutu - On Lot 1A of The Grove the owner is still not allowed to go back to his property, and the ZANU (PF) youth base continues to function, causing general harassment and contributing to the increased level of theft.

Police maintain allowing the owner back is a political issue, and the millions of dollars lost in revenue has nothing to do with them.

Chakari - On Chevy Chase farm which is unlisted, settlers continue to harass and make demands. It appears they want the owner to stop operations so they can use the land he has negotiated he can utilise. They also want to use his equipment to grow a winter crop.

General - A2 settlers continue to be active visiting and telling them to get out of “their” houses, as the farmers are on "their plot".

No early land prep for Tobacco has taken place. There are generally no preparations for a Wheat crop as almost all farms are listed, with many of them served with Section 8 Orders and Government appears to prefer the option of people starving than commercial farmers utilising their land.

The Alstar Haven owner has had a constant battle to secure a permit from the National Parks representative, Mr. Hove, so he can move the remaining game on his property.

This comprised 43 Wildebeest, 14 Sable, 12 Zebra, 3 Eland and 2 Giraffe. What remains as of this date are 8 Wildebeest, No Sable, 6 Zebra, No Eland and 2 Giraffe.

The owner showed the permit issued by Mr. Hove to the base commander, a Mr. Makara on his property (who is the Zaka rep for the Land Resettlement Committee).

He accepted it at first, but later claimed it was a fake permit and the owner had made it up on his computer at home. He went on to say that all the game on the property was now the settlers, but if the owner paid ZW$ 50 000 in cash, he would be given permission to remove them.

since the confrontation with the owner, Mr. Makara told the owner’s three caretakers they must now move off as the property now belongs to the settlers. Zanu (PF) Youth were due to be moved on to the property the following day. The owner reports the caretakers are very scared and he has had to send in a lorry to help remove all their belongings.

Triangle - Triangle Co. dismissed between 50 –100 workers on 21.03.02. "war vet" Mutemachani and a colleague were trying to cause a riot, and assaulted one of the Triangle employees and kicked a dog. Police and army reaction was very good.

Mwenezi – there is continued harassment over use and “sharing” of water. Snaring, poaching and theft of cattle all over.

Badsa Farm has continued harassment over cattle. The owner had all cattle chased off the property by the settlers the morning of 25.03.02.

A roadblock was put up at the Hilda's Kraal Road by the "war vets" and as yet has not been removed.

Fountain Farm found a steenbok snared, and the owner gave the meat to his game guards. The "war vets" then arrested the game guards and took them to the Police Station. The owner was told by the OIC that he would arrest the owner and charge him for shooting State Game.

Esigodini – the Komani Farm owners suffer continual harassment. they are packing up and vacating the farm. At a meeting on held on 20.03.02 with the owner, "war vets" and Zanu (PF) personnel, the owner was given an ultimatum, in very threatening terms, to vacate by 27.03.02. he was told he could remove all livestock and moveable assets.

Since then, the labour has been continually harassed while trying to carry out the task of finding cattle that had been mixed. The mixing had occurred in three days prior to the meeting, when the labour was not allowed to work. As of 25.03.02, it has not been possible to find the cattle and sort them back into their respective herds.

There was a herd of 114 registered Afrikaner and Tuli heifers comprising two age groups. Of this number only 39 were found, which slept in the dip kraal on the night of 24.03.02. During the night the gate was opened, the heifers removed, the gate closed and the animals driven into the Railway Reserve. A train hit nine, with seven killed outright and two so badly they had to be destroyed. out of a herd of 114 heifers, only 30 remain.

The owner requested of the ZRP. OIC, Esigodini, Inspector Mfuwa, an armed police guard to protect those cattle still sleeping in the dip kraals. His response is awaited but he did indicate the owner would have to pay for the guard, to which he agreed.

The Shonalanga Farm owner was given until 26.03.02 to vacate his farm but as yet nothing has happened.

Inyathi – Paddy’s Valley received a letter from the War Veterans Head Office in Bulawayo, telling him to vacate his farm in 24 hours. he has not done so. The Police have reacted favourably.

Bulawayo Landowners’ – the owners of Mindora Farm, Umgusa Plot and Holly Lodge were all given similar notices from the War Veterans Head Office. They had a meeting with the P.A. on 25.03.02, who said he would sort out the problem.

You'll notice the terrorists never faced gunfire. I guess the owners didn't want to hurt their feelings.

Who in the hell do these terrorists think is going to feed them?

The call for international aid in the face of this is so predictable. But what will happen is, the food will be fed to Mugabe's people and his henchmen. Just like the aid to any terrorist regime is diverted to the terrorists! The people they are killing and torturing will not be given anything. If the world wants to do something to stop this they need to stop Mugabe!!!!!

This series of reports from the Commercial Farmers Union continues to give one a sense of life in that insane 'Animal Farm'.

These gritty details tell more about the situation in Zim than all the more political items.

Thanks for your work on this issue.

Thank you.

There is a chillingly routine quality to these reports.

A dry recitation of thuggery, mayhem and murder.

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