Hopes of aid from new regime dashed as Robert Mugabe thugs grab land

timesonline.co.uk ^ | March 25, 2009 | Jan Raath

[Tailgunner Joe]

When Daleen Joubert heard last week's promise that Zimbabwe's new Government would protect the country's remaining white farmers, she and her husband Willem dared to believe that their ordeal could soon be over. ...

On the evening of last week's pledge by Tendai Biti, the Finance Minister in Zimbabwe's coalition Government, to “arrest any further farm invasions” the locks on their farm gate were smashed, the door to Mrs Joubert's elderly father's home was broken down and its contents taken out and dumped.

The police, who had taken part in the eviction, left a message for Mr and Mrs Joubert, who was away on business, with their farm workers - they were to be arrested for staying on the land in defiance of Lovemore Matuke, the local chairman of President Mugabe's Zanu (PF) party.

In the days that followed Mr Matuke took over the Joubert's own homestead and threw out their goods. Mr Matuke has previously seized three other farms, none of which now produces anything. The couple are now in hiding in the town of Masvingo. They have with them a suitcase of clothing, their car, and a parrot rescued from their farm, Mijn Rust.

Their only hope is that ministers such as Mr Biti can restore their rights. Under radical land reform legislation introduced by Mr Mugabe, about 4,000 white farmers have lost their farms, and only 100 remain. ....

Most potential foreign donors, whose cash is vital to restoring the country's devastated economy, want to see the farm seizures cease before committing towards the $5 billion (£3 billion) Mr Biti believes is needed to restore basic government functions.

However, in the 38 days since the new power-sharing Government involving the opposition Movement for Democratic Change was formed, the seizures have escalated.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Continuing Land Invasions Pose Dilemma for Zimbabwe PM Tsvangirai - March 24, 2009 - Returned to Harare from “compassionate leave” in South Africa, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was expected to meet this week with his Agriculture and Home Affairs ministers as well as the Commercial Farmers Union to discuss farm invasions. Mr. Tsvangirai has absented himself from most government activities following the death of his wife, Susan, in a highway accident on March 6 which traumatized the nation. But aides said he would take part in a small number of critical meetings this week.

[exist]

A man after Tim Geithner’s heart.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Zimbabwe ping

[happygrl]

following the death murder of his wife, Susan, in a highway accident

Mugabe has a very hot incentive to stay alive.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Robert Mugabe needs to be forcefully removed from this plane of existence. He is a cancer on any land he inhabits. He rigged more than one election, brokered a power-sharing deal to stay in power and arranged and botched the assasination of the man he screwed over and the man that the people wanted for president in the first place.
How he still breathes is beyond me.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Apparently these thugs use the farmland as collateral for loans which they promptly default on.

How soon before the US is in this mode?

[penelopesire]

Obama loves him too! Campaigned for him in Africa!

[penelopesire]

Oops..wrong dictator....LOL. That’s Odinga.

[exist]

Obama loves him too! Campaigned for him in Africa!

You're right.

[penelopesire]

[penelopesire]

Nope..I was wrong. That’s Odinga..LOL. I am sure Obama loves Mugabe too though!

[Eagles6]

Starting here to a lesser degree. Squatters staying in foreclosed homes, acorn busing rabble to homes of threatened businessmen...death threats...

[UCANSEE2]

Apparently these thugs use the farmland as collateral for loans which they promptly default on.

How soon before the US is in this mode?

It's a done deal. Hillary signed the papers.

Now all we have to due is wait for the default by the FED, and there will be some Chinese Soldiers kicking in your door.