Posted on 05/13/2002 3:57:33 PM PDT by Clive
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.
NATIONAL REPORT IN BRIEF
· Marondera North reported five farmers received Section 8 orders.
· Raffingora - There was trouble at Marasha Farm with a Lt. Colonel pressurizing the owner for a homestead and pumps to be returned to the dam ready for wheat operation.
· On Caskey Farm, Selous, 56 snares were picked up in a single day on this wildlife operation. Wire was stolen from fence lines, to fence in the riverbank cultivation taking place, which is also preventing wildlife from accessing water.
· Nobody in Kadoma is allowed to plant wheat even though farmers are constantly visiting with DA's, PA's, Governors, "war vets" and other politicians to negotiate a way forward.
· The Kayansee Ranch owner, in Mwenezi, went to investigate the removal of belts and a crank handle from a water pump engine. At the scene, a "war vet" attacked him, attempting to stab him with a knife. Fellow settlers restrained the attacked before he could inflict injury.
· Chief Gutu from Gutu/Chatsworth visited at least five properties, telling the owners to move off.
REGIONAL NEWS
MANICALAND
Nothing to report - everything very quiet.
MASHONALAND CENTRAL
No report received.
MASHONALAND EAST
Harare South -
Another farmer was evicted and had to hand over his keys to the settlers.
Labour on another farm was threatened with eviction as the owner of this farm is currently away.
Other farmers are threatened with eviction.
Marondera North -
Pegging reported on one farm, and huts built on another farm.
It was reported Section 8 orders were received by five farmers.
Wedza -
Police arrived at one farm looking for a tractor belonging to another farmer.
One owner, who had Zimstock Sales weighing cattle, was told he had to be off in 30 minutes. This was later extended to two and he is in the process of moving.
Another farmer who has already conceded three of his farms to Government on the understanding one of his farms would be delisted was forced off his property and is in the process of moving.
MASHONALAND WEST (NORTH)
Raffingora -
Alan Grange last report has the owner waiting for Lands Committee to visit the farm.
At Mafuta Farm DDF tractors prepared a little bit of land for wheat. The owner is still off farm trying to negotiate a portion for himself.
Chiwe reports New Assistant Inspector (ex-Macheke) Chiwanza, second in charge at Mutorashanga, was quite helpful in providing a Police escort to recover the farm motorbike. The tractor and trailer are still outstanding together with the butchery equipment.
Negotiations still continue via Chinhoyi. At Raffingora Estates and Manga Farm it is much quieter, with work ongoing on the seed maize. The owner is still off farm, and not happy to come back and negotiate with the settlers at present.
The Minihaha owner came back on Tuesday hoping to remove his belongings from the house. The Police were very unhelpful and advised he went nowhere near the farm. Despite numerous phone calls to D.A. Temba, and Chief Land Officer Nduku they all palmed him off referring him to Governor Chanetsa. He has not contacted the latter. The A2 settlers are making themselves more permanent.
There was trouble at Marasha Farm with a Lt. Colonel pressurizing the owner for a homestead and pumps to be returned to the dam ready for wheat operation.
Agritex is pegging Dalston Estate despite a wheat crop being sown. The owner was also told to speak to Governor Chanetsa.
The FA Chairman has heard negotiations for wheat continue, but some farmers have had Section 8's delivered after the negotiations.
Theft in the district continues at an alarming rate: affected are irrigation equipment, in particular brass hydrant spindles, maize, soya beans and bananas.
MASHONALAND WEST (SOUTH)
Norton -
The situation on the Porta Road continues with majority of farmers still not allowed to return to their houses.
On Gowrie Farm, Sabina Mugabe is busy ploughing and the murdered Terry Ford's equipment was commandeered for this. His son is having great difficulty taking livestock off the property. It is clear from the local authorities there is no authority for the perpetrators of these illegal evictions to continue but police appear powerless to upset the plans of these criminals.
Property developers from the Rutimo group also appear to be wanting to develop stands on these farms, some of which are not even listed for acquisition.
Selous -
On Caskey Farm, 56 snares were picked up in a single day on this wildlife operation. Wire was stolen from fence lines, to fence in the riverbank cultivation taking place, which is also preventing wildlife from accessing water.
On Mt Carmel, Agritex peggers stole oranges and told the owner that as it was now state land they were allowed to take what they liked.
On Spencer one hopeful settler with his free inputs has planted some wheat on a ridge over 1 km away from the nearest water!
Suri Suri -
On Kufaro settlers demanded a shed and the owner had to remove all his cattle and tobacco.
On Lourie there is an illegal strike.
Chakari -
Nobody is allowed to grow wheat.
On Chevy Chase, which is not listed, the owner did manage to plough some land but is now stopped from planting.
Kadoma -
Nobody is allowed to plant wheat even though farmers are constantly visiting with DA's, PA's, Governors, "war vets" and other politicians to negotiate a way forward. Although there was a positive meeting at the beginning of the week, the DA has now said that it is up to each farmer to negotiate with the people who have been given the irrigation lands.
Battlefields -
It appears that maybe one farmer will be allowed to grow some wheat.
On Twintops, which is a single owned Wildlife and irrigation property, settlers have killed 130 zebra so far through snares. The zebras are just left to rot because they do not like the meat. 74 sable and approximately 300 wildebeest have also been poached.
In the last month alone the owner has had to spend ZW$ 450,000 darting buffalo to take the snares off them.
General -
No land prep for tobacco is taking place on the vast majority of farms and only a few farms are allowed to grow wheat, but the banks are requiring letters by DA's or Governors particularly where farmers have Section 8's. The DA's and the Governor are not issuing these letters of comfort at this time.
MASVINGO
Masvingo East and Central -
Springfield's Farm, Sangokwe Farm, Elandskop Farm, Midrivers Farm all received Section 8s.
Chiredzi -
Several properties belonging to the Sugar Cane Growers' Association received Section 7 Notices.
Ongoing poaching, snaring, wire theft, ploughing, tree-felling movement of people and cattle continue.
Mwenezi -
Lot 21 reports five settlers were delivered by an Agritex vehicle on 04.05.02. The complainant, a "war vet", never came to court in a case in which the owner allegedly assaulted him. The police now wish to arrest the complainant.
At Kleinbegin Ranch the Veterinary Department organised for an FMD inspection. The owner suggested the S/AHI Beitbridge start by inspecting the settlers' cattle, after which he would take him around to his cattle. The S/AHI drove out past the homestead after supposedly inspecting settler cattle, because they had not been rounded up. The owner then ordered his cattle released.
The Kayansee Ranch owner went to investigate the removal of belts and a crank handle from a water pump engine. At the scene, a "war vet" attacked him, attempting to stab him with a knife. Fellow settlers restrained the attacked before he could inflict injury.
Fires in this area are starting up with a vengeance. All the usual criminal activities continue unabated.
Save Conservancy -
ongoing poaching.
Gutu/Chatsworth -
a Government vehicle registration GAGL029 was seen visiting the properties mentioned in this section. A Miss Hungwe from the District Lands Committee was present, with twenty other people said to have been from the Lands Department, Masvingo.
Chomfuli Farm was visited by Chief Gutu and the owner told to move off as soon as possible. This farm received a Section 8.
The Endama Ranch owner was visited by Chief Gutu and told to move off.
The Claire Farm owner no longer resides on farm. Settlers broke into the homestead and have taken up residence.
Settlers broke into the Thornhill Farm homestead and moved in.
The Blyth Hill owner was visited by Chief Gutu and told to move off and leave all assets.
The Felixburg Farm was also visited by Chief Gutu and told to move off.
The Irvine A owner received a Section 8.
MIDLANDS
No report received.
MATABELELAND
No report received.
Pray for the brave hearts of Zimbabwe.
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