Zimbabwe -- Farm Invasions And Security Report

A report in the National News In Brief erroneously states Strathmore, from which Pamuzinda Safari Lodge operates, and Serui Drift to be under threat from Air Vice Marshall Muchena within Mashonaland West (South). The owners concerned have called to say this is not true. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this report to all parties concerned. We should like to state business and security has not been affected at Pamuzinda Safari Lodge.

The CFU has been plagued by a mass mailing virus for nearly a week. Our apologies for the late sitrep, but we wish to make sure that recipients are not affected by the W32Klez virus. We hope you bear with us whilst we try sort out the problem.

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.

· Horseshoe - "War vets" and settlers on Nyamsewe and Rungudzi, have taken possession of the owner's tractors, lorries and other equipment and are using them as they please.

· Matabeleland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo report numerous incidents throughout the region, indicating an escalation of activity.

Bindura -
The owner of Guitingwood Farm was ordered to leave his farm on 21.04.02. The farm has a Section 5 notice. The Police were contacted but as yet no response has been forthcoming.

Centenary -
On 20.04.02 Cloudy River Farm was invaded by "war vets" who ordered the owner to leave. They camped on his veranda and began cooking a meal saying that he had to be off the farm by that same afternoon.

Mazowe -
On 18.04.02, 25 "war vets" arrived and cut down two trees, which they placed across the gates on Warmingham Farm barricading the owner inside his home until the next day. The "war vets" demanded to see the owner's copy of the Section 8 Order and told him to vacate his property on expiration of the Section 8 Order.
The owner of Normandale Farm attempted to send a truckload of irrigation pipes to Harare for safety. The vehicle was turned back at Mazowe by the Police who instructed they be returned to the farm. Upon enquiry the owner was told that the Police had received a "directive" to stop all agricultural machinery and livestock from being moved off any farm.

Horseshoe -
The owner of Mangondo Farm sent his truck loaded with irrigation pipes to Harare for safety. It too was turned back at Mazowe by the Police, who, on being questioned as to what law prevented a farmer from re-locating his equipment, was told they had received a directive to do so.
"War vets" and settlers on Nyamsewe and Rungudzi, have taken possession of the owner's tractors, lorries and other equipment and are using them as they please.
On 18.04.02, three members of the Presidents' office arrived in Horseshoe and announced that for the next two weeks no farmer would be allowed to remove any agricultural equipment or livestock from their farms. After that "they would receive further instructions."
On 24.04.02, the owner of Makombe reported he had succeeded in having the Glens removal truck released from the farm, but the "war vets" still refused to let his own lorry leave.
There are no further developments in this area and some outstanding issues await the return of the Bindura DA.

Mvurwi - Several farmers have been issued Section 8 Orders and Sections 7 Notices. These are:
Vukwe Farm - Section 7, Ruia - Section 8 on one section of the farm and a Section 7 on another,
Norver Farm - Section 8,
Coolderry - Section 8, and
Barrock - Section 7.

Beatrice -
The owner of Nengwa farm was visited by "war vets" who initially wanted him off the farm immediately, but after negotiations, he was given until 23.04.02 to get off. He was told he is not to remove any irrigation pipes or tractors.
The Victory Farm owner has had one beef cow from Alamein Farm for the last couple of months. The "war vets" living on Alamein Farm asked him to kill the cow for them, which he refused, so they slaughtered it themselves and took it away with a tractor and trailer.
At Eden Farm A earlier this week, seven men arrived in an old Peugeot 404 at the rondavels. One man, dressed in camouflage, identified himself as Sibanda from Bulawayo. He presented the owner with a fake eviction notice instructing him to leave within 24 hours, which he did.
It would appear these are the same men who went to Alicedale West and Talana Farm.
Nebo Farm confirms a CZ75 pistol is missing from the manager's residence. The pistol/magazine and ammo was accidentally left behind when they vacated the property the first weekend of March. Shortly after that, the house was broken into and ransacked and pistol is presumed to be have been stolen then.
ZRP are investigating this as a housebreaking and theft case. Some property has been recovered; mostly clothing found on neighbouring Dorananga Farm. Clothing and a green mountain bike still outstanding.

Macheke -
at Royal Visit, drunken "war vets" /settlers asked for money for Independence. The owner referred them to the Murehwa DA who has received money from the Farmers' Association.
The Two Streams "war vets" are unhappy with the allocation of farm workers with regard to the Independence celebrations.
Koodoo Range reports workers, who loaded cattle on to two lorries for transfer, were forced to unload them. No reason was given, all paperwork was in order and "war vets" were aware of the move. The "war vets" kept the movement permit.
Soft Farm had Agritex pegging for A2 resettlement.
Journey's End had Agritex assessing the farm for A2.
The Springdale owner was stopped moving irrigation pipes to Harare for use on his smallholding. The police impounded the pipes and lorries and later escorted the lorries back to the farm.
The Welcome Home Farm owner is away. 15 settlers arrived and said it now belongs to them.
The settlers would not allow the neighbour on to the farm. They then asked the neighbour for mealie-meal. He refused, citing no stocks as his reason.

Marondera South -
Monte Christo received a message from settlers to vacate immediately, and that all farming equipment is now theirs.
Igava Farm reports the settlers want all farming equipment removed from Igava to Gorajenna Farm returned immediately "for safe keeping".
The owner was off the farm his wife and daughter were told to evacuate their homes, with no help allowed and no lorries could enter the premises. The daughter was later told she had 30 minutes to get out. She tried to bargain with them and in the end they said she could have neighbours and lorries to help as long as she got out within the hour.
It has not yet been established whether the owners were able to go back to grade and reap the rest of the tobacco, paprika, cabbages etc.
The settlers demanded keys for the house be left behind and amidst threats, the owners managed to pack. They were subjected to searches for farm equipment, a settler stole alcohol and a small generator used for the house was removed from the lorry.
The Monte Christo owner is away and all the workers told to leave the farm village. No damage to house or property as yet. 29 cattle were stolen on the night of the 17.04.02.
K-Se-ra reports on the morning of 19.04.02, "war vet" Mutoko and accomplices told the owner to vacate his house and get off the property; if he did not do so, he would be removed with force. The owner has moved off but his personal effects are still in the house.

Wedza -
the continuation of ongoing trouble at Chakadenga saw four tractors and trailers and a 3.5 tonne lorry taken.
The Lifton - Hull owner had seven tractors and trailers taken.
At Plymtree a Toyota hilux pick-up was stolen, which was subsequently involved in an accident on 18.04.02 and rolled. The police investigated but have not been to see the owner.
All of the above incidents have been reported to the police but no action has been taken.
At Chirume a lorry coming to collect cattle got lost. When the owner went to redirect it he was told all his cattle belonged to the State. The lorry was allowed to proceed to Chirume when the owner told the settlers the cattle were being sold to Government.
On 15.04.02, the Mt Arthur owner, his wife and three children were barricaded in their house.
The police were called in the morning and eventually arrived at 1600 hrs and removed the lock off the gate put there by the settlers.
Lustleigh reports "war vets" from Chop Chop base have moved into the owner's house in his absence.
The Raleigh owner was moving a truckload of equipment on 16.04.02. The lorry was hijacked by Mauweza near Mushandira Pamwe and taken by Gandiza to Chakadenga. This was reported to the police but there has been no response.
Skoonveld and Fair Adventure received a second section 5 each.
At Devon a truckload of army personnel and youth arrived, saying as they had such a big farm, they would like to share it.
They also told the manager that he must be out of his house within two weeks, and they would be back. This farm has been unaffected up until now.
23 April 2002

Harare South -
During the night of 22.04.02l the remaining kitchen units in the farm village were burnt down at Kinfauns The owner was told to get off the farm by 23.04.02, but is unable to move off the farm as both access roads have had ditches put across them.

Macheke/Virginia -
Vanguard Farm had settlers arrive on 22.04.02, who were verbally abusive.
The owner again reported this to the Police who said they would follow up after attending a lands meeting in Murehwa.
The settlers have taken all the irrigation pipes, using two of the farm's tractors and trailers, and moved the pipes to Royal Visit.
The police reacted and the owner has to see the Lands Committee on 28.04.02 and prove ownership of pipes. They will not be used until such time as proof is given. About 700 pipes were removed.
On Showers farm eight settlers demanded keys to sheds and offices to make an inventory. This was reported to the police and he was told to co-operate and keep the peace. An inventory of stock in the sheds was made but access to the offices and other areas was denied.
On Nyadema Farm 25 youth and 2 "war vets" evicted labour from houses in farm village, because they had not contributed to the Independence celebrations. The labour is now in the barn complex.
The Athlone Farm Foreman was notified all the keys were to be handed to the settlers by 03.05.02 OR ELSE.
The Wheatlands Farm owner was told his cattle would be divided up between settlers on Highover, Wheatlands and Mehtven.
Police are aware of the situation and will attend if necessary.
Two Streams reports settlers cattle from River Valley got into the paprika. The owner impounded them for safe keeping in his dip and reported this to Cst. Chanakira, who said if he is assaulted by settlers he must notify the police at once.
River Valley (A Keith) had paprika stolen.

Marondera South -
at Gorajenna Farm settlers demanded all the farm keys. The owner refused and they became threatening and rowdy. The owner felt he had to get out quickly.
He went to Marondera to see higher authorities but no one was available.
The Monte Cristo Farm owner is still off the farm and it appears certain he will be evicted on his return.
At Mtemwa Farm the owner received an internal message settlers were gathering at the neighbouring farm Hungwe Farm and coming to Mtemwa to evict the owner. As he was in Marondera at the time, he decided not to return.
On Makarara Farm about 40 settlers arrived at main gate and threatened to close down farm as property belonging to a neighbour was being held on Mkakrara after her eviction from Igava Farm. They made a claim cattle had eaten their maize.
At 1300 hrs they demanded food for lunch and said they would not leave until compensation had been received.
The CIO arrived, stating the owner had phoned in a report but this was not so.
Together with the settlers they insisted on seeing property of Igava (only junk, no furniture) and the owner was told to get it off the farm.
The settlers had to witness the loading of the lorry. Eventually an agreement was made and settlers left the farm.
The Munemo Farm (John Harris) owner reported his lorry went to collect 54 bales of paprika from Scorror farm at 0900 hrs, but had not returned by 2100 hrs. The lorry was last seen going into Marondera at 1600 hrs but had not arrived at its destination in Ruwa. Investigations are ongoing.
On 22.04.02 at Mutoromandwe Farm a mob arrived and told the workers to vacate. The owner is away on leave and a neighbour came over to sort out the problem and managed to get three workers to stay and milk the cattle and one worker to feed the chickens.
This incident was reported to the police (Cst Nyakoka).
The settlers await the return of the owner, as they want to verify an inventory of all the moveable assets and to discuss the future of the farm.
At Stow Farm the lessee returned to collect some belongings and was barricaded into his house.
This was reported to the police (Cst Nyakoka). The lessee was later allowed to leave.
Vilendy Farm reports on 23.04.02 four settlers, the same people that visited Mutoromandwe Farm, Stow Farm and Jenni Springs farm, told the owner to pay off his workers the same day on the pretext that one of the workers had told a settler to get off the farm.
The Jenni Springs Farm owner and his workers were forced to vacate their property on 22.04.02.

Wedza -
on 23.4.02 at Totnes a load of cattle going for slaughter was stopped at Chudley and off loaded.
The Police attended and were told by "war vet" Kujeke he took his orders from "war vet" Gandiza and was told to stop any lorries carrying livestock or irrigation pipes. The Police said there was nothing they could do.
At Mbima a lorry load of people arrived at Southlawn and said they had come to take all the equipment belonging to Mbima back to the farm. The tractors have since arrived back at the farm.
The Chakadenga Farm owner discovered on 22.04.02 five 1-hp barn motors had been stolen, as well as various items from the greenhouses. The police came to investigate at 2000 hrs that night and took a statement.
On the morning of 23.04.02, an 8 tonne lorry arrived on the farm with about 30 people and a 10,000l fuel tank. They pumped all the fuel on the farm into the tank, and also took oil, brake fluid and generally looted in full view of the owner.
This was reported to the police. The mob is extremely aggressive.

Marondera West -
the Jenni Springs Farm owner was told on 20.04.02 to vacate the homestead within two hours. The matter was resolved temporarily to allow them two days to move off.
Another elderly couple occupying another house on the same farm were also given the same instructions.
Stow Farm next door to the above was also given two hours to leave on 20.04.02. The situation is temporarily resolved as they were then given two days to vacate.
Cloverholme owner was given until 30.04.02 to vacate homestead, as this is when their 90-day eviction notice is up.
One of the A2 settlers is wanting their house as it falls within his allocated plot. He has also told the factory workers he will continue to employ them and will take over the factory.
The Essexdale situation has not changed. The owner is still away.

The Rainham Farm owner is still off the farm, and there is a complete work stoppage.
Hired combines were turned back on 19.04.02 with the "war vets" refusing to let them in to combine soyas.
Ministers Chombo, Made and Munangagwa have all said there is nothing they can do.
The soyas are now starting to split and the crop will be wasted after one week - approximately 250 t at ZW$15 million.
No other report received.

Chakari -
On Tawstock a security guard apprehended settlers moving some of the owners maize crop, and 2.4 tonnes of stolen maize were recovered.

Norton -
The owner of Crebilly had his chicken operation shut down by resident settlers. The police have said they will react.

Kadoma -
The owner of Eiffel Blue had his operation shut down by resident settlers.

Masvingo East and Central -
Greenhills Farm was visited by a Ministry of Lands official on 19.04.02. The official asked why the owner had not yet moved off the property as his Section 8 had already expired and gave the owner till 22.04.02 to report back.
Lamotte Farm reports approximately 50 people moved on and are furiously chopping trees, clearing lands and building huts. The owner has moved his cattle into his Paprika lands after losing his entire crop over Easter to theft.

Chiredzi -
On 20.04.02, the Zimbabwe Development Trust brought heifers/weaners on to Oscro Ranch in the Chiredzi Area and was supposedly selling them at ZW$ 33,000 each. Some are LIT registered, but the bulk of them are not.
On 19.04.02 on Wasasara Ranch seven men and six women came into the farm village for a meeting due to be held the next day. At 0700 hrs the Zanu (PF) youth, from the Chekewere Township in the communal lands, left an agenda on the owner's gate.
Allegations against the owner were listed.
On their way past the dairy, four of the youths helped themselves to three litres of milk.
Until 1000 hrs approximately 200 youth were seen singing, dancing, shouting and running up and down all the paths.
Support Unit, police, "war vet" Mutemachani and others attended the meeting. Mutemachani noted some of the allegations from the settlers and told them to liase with the DA at Chiredzi. Total work stoppage occurred on this day.
On 21.04.02 the Speargrass Ranch owner reported approximately 20 youths and one labour member were trying to corner him. A neighbour came in and rescued him and they were able to resolve the issue from the vehicle.
The Palm River Ranch owner took the settler that has been extorting money from him to a meeting at Oscro Ranch.
The Chiredzi DA told the settler he should settle the matter through the courts. On 16.04.02 the settlers were demanding compensation for cane allegedly cut on their plots. This has happened on several different cane farms.
The ZCTU also threatened a strike on 17.04.02 and demanded ZW$ 7000 in wages.
One of the cane farmers reported he had been to see the OC Chiredzi regarding the sugar cane set up. The OC responded that farmers must "negotiate" and "co-exist" with the A2 Settlers.
On the A2 Resettlement, settlers have tried to stop the cane from being cut and delivered. The current landowners have been told to continue cutting the cane till they are physically stopped.
At Ruware Ranch settlers arrived with a scotch cart, and loaded up doors and windows from the old homestead. Police reacted and the doors and windows were recovered. One settler was arrested and names of the other three obtained.
At Samba Ranch on 18.04.02 twenty settlers arrived and began instructing the herdsman to round up the cattle. The farm manager was told he was not allowed back on to the farm. Police were informed and could not assist due to transport problems.
Eaglemont Ranch game scouts were assaulted by settlers. The game scouts retreated back to the owner's homestead where the settlers followed them. The latter came into the farm garden and made threats and demands of the owner. After some time they dispersed.
At the Independence celebrations MP Chauke told the farm labourers they would be allowed to stay on the properties after they had been acquired; however they would have to buy their own houses.

Mwenezi -
at Kleinbegin Ranch following several days of demands the owners leave the property, labour resident on one section were chased away. With the housing vacated those responsible for terrorising the labour helped themselves to curtains and furniture and stole roofing material from the kitchens and chicken co-ops.
Initially the Beitbridge police declined to investigate, as they admitted they were ordered by the Matabeleland South Governor, S. Nkomo, to ignore anything involving "war vets". On being asked how they knew it was "war vets" without investigating, they agreed to attend. The "war vets" denied they were responsible, so it was agreed this was criminal activity.
In the last six months the settlers have used the owners water supply point for their cattle. They have now broken the engine and no more water can be pumped and demand the owner fixes the engine and restore the water supply.
Mrs. Tshuma, who is the Zanu (PF) leader in Beitbridge, is very aggressive and beat up the labour on 21.04.02. Some managed to get away, while the owner went to fetch the Police.
The settlers were armed with sticks, stones and axes, which they threw down and ran away when the police arrived. The Police took in one of the leaders for questioning.
Communal cattle were moved to Kleinbegin Ranch against the homestead and are now mixing with the owner's cattle.
Mwenezana Estate reports several ZFTU functionaries, led by Mr Hwarare of ZANU (PF) and in the company of a Mr. Muzenda, were at the estate over the past week, culminating in an invasion of an independent transport company's premises. The whole episode lasted from about 1000 till 1530 hrs and consisted of abuse, most of it racist and sexist, against the two people, a man and a woman, who manage the operation.
The Lumbergia Ranch owner reports the slaughter of another five cattle either through snares or being chopped on the head with an axe after being driven into a snare.
Battlefields Ranch had one cow slaughtered.
Cutting of wire continues. There is an escalation in poaching with an increased use of wire snares.
The internal farm road was barricaded by rocks.

Gutu/Chatsworth -
The A2 Resettlement operation is speeding up on Northdale Farm , Middeldeel Farm and Nuwejaar
Farm Cattle are moved out of paddocks, fencing is cut and moved to alternate areas.
An army truck was seen over the weekend bringing in thatch grass for the roofing of houses, which are erected all over the farm. The army truck was seen leaving loaded with firewood.
At Chindito Farm on 15.04.02, the owner was visited by a delegation headed by Vice President Muzenda. Vice President Muzenda told the owner he received a Section 8, which had expired on 06.04.02 and he should have been off the property. He gave the owner one week to pack up and move off, allowing him to take his household goods and furniture, but nothing else. He noted the owner was not allowed to move any implements or irrigation equipment as he would make use of them next week when he began his land preparations for wheat.
Vice President Muzenda was willing to buy the implements from the owner.
At Chomfuli Farm approximately 15 vehicles arrived whose occupants distributed plots amongst themselves. Agritex was also present amongst these people. The Zanu (PF) official Mr. Matuki was also present.
Wragley/Lauder Farms were visited by Agritex officials making inquiries about the irrigation equipment. They indicated settlers have applied for loans and indicate they would like to purchase the equipment. The owner states Mukwa trees are cut down.
At Grasslaagte Farm, a Mostead Venge, presumably from ARDA moved on 92 cattle from Gweru. This is after the owner was delivered a Section 8 on 10.04.02, dated 29.03.02. This farm is a Group Breeding Scheme for Mashona Cattle.
The Felixburg Farm owner continues to have problems where grazing for his cattle are concerned. In the last week five cattle have been lost due to snaring and theft.

Nyamandlovu -
on 13.04.02, sixty people tried to forcibly evict the owner's family on Glen Curragh Ranch They attempted to gain access to the homestead security fence through two gates, managed to force the padlock on the back gate and assaulted the owner with rocks weighing up to 1.6 kg and hit him once with an iron bar. He sustained a cut requiring three stitches on his arm, various grazes and bruises and a couple of fractured ribs. He managed to ward off his attackers with a pepper spray and closed the gate while the OIC Ins. R.F. Ncube watched the whole incident from approximately 30 m away. They did not manage to enter the second gate.
This group of "war vets" and thugs were from this property and adjoining properties and included approximately 8 people from town who arrived in a Kombi.
One of the people from town is suspected to be Andrew Ndlovu, one of the top war veteran association leaders.
Prior to the assault they also handed over a letter from Andrew Ndlovu stating all farmers would be evicted due to their assistance to the opposition and not wanting to reconcile with the Country.
On 17.04.02, approximately 50 "war vets"/youths accompanied by a Chronicle News team went to Umguzaan Farm and delivered the letter signed by Andrew Ndlovu to the owner.
They caused a total work stoppage comprising approximately 250 members of labour and forced two of the farm tractors to load up all the labours property and deliver it to a main road 2 - 4kms away.
The Police in Nyamandlovu were notified and arrived approximately 2 hours later, a trip which normally takes 15 - 20 minutes. They did not talk to the owner of the property, but drove straight through the farm village without stopping, proceeded to the main road where the labour had been dumped and instructed them to return to work. They then left having made no arrests or investigations.
The "war vets"/youths promptly contradicted the police and threatened death to any who returned to work. This has led to the farm owner hiring Security Guards from a firm in Bulawayo to protect a crop of sweet potatoes.
On 20.04.02, the Guards arrested one sweet potato thief. They were surrounded by approximately 300 - 400 people comprising "war vets", Zanu (PF) youths, women and children, and one guard was hit on the head with an unknown instrument, but did not sustain any serious injury due to protective headgear. Pepper sprays were stolen from the Guards who were instructed to return to the homestead.
The crowd then stole about 3000 kg of sweet potatoes valued at approximately ZW$ 50/kg.
Nyamandlovu Police reacted only after being told there was a foreign news crew on their way to the scene. No attempt was made to make any arrests and the OIC told the owner and some other farmers that he would speak to the war veteran leadership to try stop the looting. He would not leave police details to protect the crop, and advised against hiring of security guards.
A temporary work stoppage occurred on Porter farm resulting in the loss of approximately US$ 3000 of paprika as it rained and there was no labour to assist in covering it.
On Tandanani farm "war vet" /youths steal approximately 1000 kg of sweet potatoes per night. Approximately 50% of the labour has been evicted from the farm village and sent back to their communal homes.
No assistance has been forthcoming from the Police although numerous reports have been made. Poaching and petty theft continues unabated with little or no reaction from the Police.
The Matambu Farm labour was forced off the farm and taken to the main road and dumped there.
The Police, in a very slow reaction, got the labour to return.
During the night of 20.04.02 and the following morning, several hundred "war vets" and settlers invaded the farm and stole over ZW$ 200,000.00 worth of sweet potatoes and other large quantities of vegetables.
The Police failed to react to this blatant theft of vegetables.

Matabeleland South -
Twin River Ranch has had problems with "war vets" for the past 10 days or so. They have set up booms and roadblocks to stop the owner leaving and anyone from getting on to the farm. They claim the entire farm and all implements and assets belong to them and are now ploughing up between all his citrus trees with donkeys.
The Courts are also prosecuting him for having shot an eland on his own farm.

Inyathi -
Reedsdale Farm was invaded on 22.04.02 by 17 men and 25 women. They locked the gates and demanded all labour leave immediately. The cattle were rounded up and put inside the cattle dip pens. Police have reacted.

Well, no wonder the veterans are angry! The whites put up token resistance and attempt futile ruses. ;^)

Like herdsman crowding sheep through an abbatoir chute, they will club and kick any of their flock who inconvenience their butchery.

This loathsome rabble assembled by Mugabe should be strangled with his guts.

What a laundry list, of continued horrors ! I give it three months, tops, before there is not only no more mealy meal and cooking oil , in Zimbabwe, but also NOTHING else to eat.

"I visit a teachers' college immediately after lunch every day. I pretend I am collecting leftover food for my dogs. I choose for my children pieces of meat and mealie rice that look fresh so that they can have something in the evening. I used to lie to them because I was afraid they would be angry that I was giving them leftovers. But one day I plucked up my courage and told them -- and they appreciated the effort I was making to give them something to eat."

- Tencwela Simelane, one of more than 150 000 Swazi people facing starvation.

thanks clive. you're about the only source we have for this info.
still, can't understand why all these farmers haven't left before this. didn't they see it coming?

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