Zimbabwe's farmers urged to defy Mugabe's deadline

Reuters via SABC (SA) ^ | August 7, 2002

[Clive]

Civil rights groups and agricultural leaders have urged commercial farmers in Zimbabwe to defy the looming deadline for them to leave their farms. The government has earmarked 95% of white-owned farms, about 6000 properties, for redistribution and the occupants of about one-third of these have until midnight tomorrow to leave.

Justice for Agriculture, a newly-formed pressure group, has urged farmers to peacefully resist the eviction orders. The new body has met with civic groups and they have jointly resolved to shun any negotiations that could imply they recognise the legitimacy of President Robert Mugabe's government.

However, many Zimbabwean farmers have already gathered at Mutorashanga, northeast of Harare for final farewells as many prepare to pack their bags to comply with the government deadline. More than 70% of the farmers have reportedly decided to leave Zimbabwe. Many have already packed for South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia. - Sapa- Reuters

[Clive]

Right.

Stay on your land and watch your cattle and crops die while squatters dig latrine pits in your garden.

And watch the civil rights groups wring their hands in agony when you get arrested or killed.

Mozambique and Zambia want commercial farmers. Zimbabwe doesn't. Better a leasehold where you are being welcomed than a fee simple where you are considered an enemy of the state.

But if I were in their shoes, the Mozambique or Zambia leasehold would be a staging point on the way out of Africa.

[Clive]

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[xJones]

However, many Zimbabwean farmers have already gathered at Mutorashanga, northeast of Harare for final farewells as many prepare to pack their bags to comply with the government deadline. More than 70% of the farmers have reportedly decided to leave Zimbabwe. Many have already packed for South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia. - Sapa- Reuters

And there goes Zimbabwe, all due to a Marxist madman. God help the innocent Zims remaining behind. I'd bet that when starvation and complete chaos sets in, Mugabe will be overthrown, but at what cost of human suffering? The Zims can either take action, or watch their children die. It's time to do something by the majority. Granted, that most black Zimbabweans are rightfully terrified of the Zanu thugs, but surely they realize that disaster is coming. I guess it's the old analogy about the frog in the slowing boiling pot. They can't believe it's happening, anymore than the Jews in the 1930s Germany or the Russians in the 1930s Soviet Union.