Mugabe's new farmers in Mashonaland West are largely businessmen or politicians who bark orders down the phone to managers from their suburban homes in the city. In the Mazowe Valley last week, west of Harare, is first lady Grace Mugabe's farm, which she wrenched from a frightened old couple. She is growing a few hectares of maize, government tractors were ploughing for her last weekend at a dirt cheap price, and Mugabe's sister, Sabina, is trying her hand at seed maize on one of several farms she has taken. But none of them will in the foreseeable future produce enough food, or enough foreign currency to import what was grown before.***
Zimbabwe's Mugabe Tells the World: Leave Us Alone - Britain "the enemy" *** CHINHOYI, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe called on Western powers to leave his embattled government alone Friday, warning he would respond to pressure by ratcheting up hostility toward whites in the country. Opening the annual conference of his ruling ZANU-PF party, the 78-year-old Mugabe vowed to fight on -- particularly against former colonial power Britain, which he said had become "the enemy" under Prime Minister Tony. "Leave us alone to run our affairs," Mugabe said. "Leave us alone to run our lives. We don't interfere in the affairs of Britain and no one should interfere in our own affairs." If Britain's allies want to make Zimbabwe their own issue, Mugabe said, "we will recognize them as enemies like we recognize Britain, under Mr. Blair, as an enemy of Zimbabwe. "The more they work against us, the more they express their hostility against us, the more negative we shall become to their kith and kin here." ***
Mugabe's men drown cattle as thousands go hungry*** Zimbabwe's commercial farmers have fallen victim to a renewed campaign of mindless violence with the killing of hundreds of cattle by workers egged on by supporters of President Robert Mugabe. On one farm several hundred head of cattle were recently driven into a dam to drown while others were penned into paddocks, in searing heat, to starve to death. Cattle were sent to their excruciating end by a group of about hysterical 20 farm workers, encouraged by government supporters, at Forrester Estates, in the Mvurwi district about 60 miles north-east of Harare. "It was terrible," said Fanie Ferreira, 43, who recently quit as a sub-manager on the estate. "The noise they made was . . . you can't describe it. It was frightening.***
Mugabe's wife selects her farm and orders the owners to leave*** Wayne Bvudzijena, a police spokesman, said 193 people had been apprehended since the latest purge of white farmers began, but he could not say how many remained in prison last night. One of those apparently detained was Elaine Graham, daughter of the British peer, Lord Forrester, who was allowed to breast-feed her month-old baby in the cells. Her husband, Ian, was also arrested. The Forrester family had large agricultural estates in Zimbabwe.
The country-wide swoop on whites has irreparably damaged Zimbabwe's commercial agriculture at a time when half the population is on the brink of starvation. Several hundred farmers, particularly in the provinces where Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party is strong, have fled their homes and businesses, most of them for ever. While an unknown number of white farmers have been forced to squat with friends and family, the couple allegedly evicted by Mrs Mugabe, have been housed temporarily in an apartment in Harare, before they leave to join their daughter in Cape Town.
The Matthews' eviction notice expired 10 days ago. A source said that Mr Matthews, 78, and his wife, 74, were told to appeal against their eviction to the district administrator. They discovered, however, that he had been part of Mrs Mugabe's entourage when she gave orders that workers and other residents on the property should pack their bags. The farm, which is almost 2,500 acres, has only 400 arable acres, and has been idle for 18 months since Mr Mugabe's militia arrived and prevented the Matthews from growing any crops. Mrs Mugabe is notorious for her profligate ways and a few years ago had a house built for her which was nicknamed Graceland.***
Electronic Telegraph - 
Key figures Biographies of key Zimbabwean politicians and rebel leaders who have played a major role in shaping the modern state of Zimbabwe.