[Clive]

That is the first time that I have heard of massive debts owing by the farmers to the government.

Like almost all farmers everywhere, they owe money to banks on mortgage debts, every business has to have such lines of credit. It costs money to put in a crop.

There was a recent case in which the court held that the government's purported siezure of the farms was defective in that the mortgage holders had not been given proper notice that their security was to be seized.

There may also be purported severance packages which the government has forced the farmers to pay to their workers as a consequence of the government having shut down their operations.

But from what you are saying, AP is making it sound like the farmers are being forclosed by the government for non-payment of debet, which is a total crock.

[norton]

I thought it looked odd as well, will try to relocate the entry.
On the other hand, it did sound like a possible mechanism for their actions, so word from an expert is appreciated.
Still wish we'd initiate an airlift and dare Mugabe to try to stop any one's egress.