Zimbabwe -- Farm Invasions And Security Report - Friday 21 June 2002

Commercial Farmers' Union ^ | June 21, 2002

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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

· Gutu/Chatsworth - Rustling of cattle is occurring on an almost daily basis. Harassment of farm owners continues. Snaring, poaching and hunting continue. Grazing issues are now becoming a very serious issue.

· Nyamandlovu - Poaching on many properties is almost out of control, with National Parks Anti-Poaching Unit initially proving to be very successful, but are now being hindered and their movements restricted by the Police in Nyamandlovu.

· Kwekwe - Pegging has started up again on Machakwe Estates.

· Mwenezi - on Lot 21A, a Mr. John Mhlanga, said to be in the employment of Farm Development Trust, tried to force the farm labour to drink water from the water trough. This water is not fit for human consumption and is only used for cattle. The labour refused to obey his threats. Mhlanga then went to the owner's house, who was absent at the time, and made several attempts to break in, which failed. From there he went to the owner's slaughter area where an animal had just been skinned and stole meat.

· Selous - The DA went to one farm and threatened the owner with arrest should he be working from Monday 24.06.02 onwards, when his 45 days are completed as per the Section 8 Order. The DA said, "we are now armed".

· Suri-Suri - On Kasama Farm evidence of up to 20 slaughtered cows has been found.

REGIONAL NEWS

MANICALAND

General - there were a number of Section 7 Notices handed out in Nyazura and Rusape area. Otherwise all is quiet.

MASHONALAND CENTRAL No report received.

MASHONALAND EAST No report received.

MASHONALAND WEST (NORTH) No report received.

MASHONALAND WEST (SOUTH)

Norton - On Kilvington Farm, which is singly owned, settlers are stopping seedbeds from going in.

Selous - The DA went to one farm and threatened the owner with arrest should he be working from Monday 24.06.02 onwards, when his 45 days are completed as per the Section 8 Order. The DA said, "we are now armed". On Exwick where "war vets" evicted the manager and his belongings last week, they now threaten to evict the rest of the workers as no action has been taken by the police against them. One of the "war vets", Mr Ruinga, carries an AK7 and is from the C.I.O.

Suri-Suri - On Kasama Farm evidence of up to 20 slaughtered cows has been found.

Chegutu - On Farnham, which is unlisted and singly owned, settlers are building brick houses, and huts are going up within 50 metres of the security fence.

Chakari - The status quo remains, with no farmers allowed to plant any crops.

Kadoma - On Hellaby Farm where the owners were evicted several months ago and had their house looted, the workers are starting to get hungry. Although they have been paid off, the owners snuck back to the farm and delivered food. The "war vets" found out about this, and the labour were marched to the main "war vet" base on Alabama Farm and told they were to never receive food from the owner, and the owner was to never be allowed back on to his farm.

Battlefields - On Overlaw Ranch the owner was in the process of taking a pump to be repaired. The pump is necessary to supply the citrus orchards with water. Settlers commandeered the pump, and refused have it leave the property. The situation was eventually resolved after considerable liaison with the police, but no one was arrested.

MASVINGO

Masvingo East and Central - Bon Air Farm had one cow and two impala reported caught in snares in the past week.

Chiredzi - plenty of fires reported. Settlers continue to be very active on most properties. The usual high incidence of poaching and snaring all over.

Mwenezi - As reported in the last Sitrep, on Lot 21A, a Mr. John Mhlanga, who is said to be in the employment of Farm Development Trust, tried to force the farm labour to drink water from the water trough. This water is not fit for human consumption and is only used for cattle. Usually the owner transports clean water in for human consumption. The labour refused to obey his threats. Mhlanga then went to the owner's house, who was absent at the time, and made several attempts to break in, which failed. From there he went to the owners slaughter area where an animal had just been skinned and stole meat. He then departed and, accompanied by a fellow companion from the Chiredzi Veterinary Department, proceeded to Asveldt Farm. They both threatened the owner telling him to remove himself off the property as the property was now under their control. The owner visited the Chiredzi DA on 19.06.02 who confirmed this was not right or even legal. Rutenga Ranch reports cattle continue to be slaughtered. The borehole near the homestead, where the owner waters his 96 head of cattle remaining on the property, is currently supplying a large number of communal cattle from this and surrounding properties with water - approximately as many as 2000 head. There is no other water source in the vicinity. The Quagga Pan A water pipeline continues to be vandalized almost daily. The Limbergia Ranch owner has removed fencing on certain paddocks where the wire is continuously being stolen, and has stored it on the property. The settlers demanding the fencing be returned subsequently confronted the owner, and threatened him if he did not return the fencing. The owner contacted the Police to resolve the issue pointing out that the fencing is kept on the farm under safekeeping. Police informed owner that their vehicle has a flat wheel and they are unable to attend immediately.

Mateke Hills - the Valley Ranch owner reports 10 cattle have disappeared. Stock theft has not been ruled out and investigations continue. The Battlefields Ranch owner reports a District Lands Committee official (name not yet disclosed) has been issuing the A2 settlers with certificates to take up their plots. The owner was told to choose his 2000 ha plot. The owner also reports 14 cattle have disappeared. Stock theft has not been ruled out and investigations continue.

General - Grazing gets scarcer by the day. Cattle are not in good condition and mortality from poverty has started and is bound to increase dramatically in the near future. Although settlers are being removed from two properties, the exercise is not effective as they are merely being pushed on to neighbouring properties. Also of note is they are removed from areas where they have already destroyed the environment and sent to areas hitherto relatively unaffected, so the destruction begins again. The motive for the removal of these settlers is also suspect - it is understood that a Zaka MP is to occupy one of the properties. All the usual criminal activities continue unabated - poaching is rampant, slaughter of cattle, wire theft, fence destruction, cutting, burning and building. National Parks personnel from Masvingo have been in the area over the past week asking farmers to complete a short questionnaire aimed at establishing the position of wildlife and environment. We hope this precedes some action.

Gutu / Chatsworth - at Bath Farm on Tuesday 18.06.02, approximately 100 settlers confronted the owner. After returning from town the owner found his remaining dairy cattle and sheep confined within the security fence of the homestead. He was told to not remove any livestock and serious threats were made on his life and he was told in no uncertain terms he should be off the property by the following day midday. This was reported by the owner to the Chatsworth Police who said they had no transport, but would attend the following day. They duly arrived the following day and spent approximately two hours listening to the settlers' demands and allegations towards the owner. Police responded by requesting the settlers put everything in writing to the DA who would then investigate and make a final decision. The situation has temporarily been resolved. Some of the demands and allegations made were: -

1. The owner is not allowed to remove the remaining livestock from the security fence enclosure.

2. The owner's dogs are not allowed to bark at the school children. (School has been established 50 metres away from owner's backdoor entrance.)

3. Settlers are continuously wasting water from the water source surrounding the homestead. The owner requested they be more conservative and if need be a restriction would be put in place. This was unacceptable for the settlers.

4. The owner has frequently been told to remove himself from the farm and they complain he has not done so.

This incident was also taken up with the PA, who indicated the owner had already received a Section 8 Order and he should be off the property already as it had been officially acquired. When it was pointed out to the PA that the amendment to the Land Acquisition Act has brought all Section 8s in line with an effective date of 10th May 2002 and 90 days expiring 8 - 10th August 2002 the PA commented that he was not aware of this and if so, why have the Provincial and the District Land Committees etc not been notified. He undertook to look into the matter and contact the DA to resolve the incident on this farm.

General - Rustling of cattle is occurring on an almost daily basis. Harassment of farm owners continues. Snaring, poaching and hunting continue. Grazing issues are now becoming a very serious issue.

MIDLANDS

Kwekwe - Pegging has started up again on Machakwe Estates. The owners of Bonsted, Die Weivelde, Long Valley and New Farm received Section 8 Orders and told to be out by 30.08.02. Poaching continues on Beta Farm.

MATABELELAND

Nyamandlovu - at Porter Farm on 17.06.02, Mr Mkwananzi, along with five others arrived and told the owner he was "sub-human" and they were going to break into his Safari Camp and take up residence. The occupant of a Government vehicle registration GYD 25 also informed the owner that he had been given a 900-hectare plot. Mr Mkwananzi and his followers went to the Safari Camp, broke into the main building, took up residence and are constructing a cattle kraal within 50 metres of the camp buildings. This was reported to the OIC, Z.R.P. Nyamandlovu, Insp. R.F. Ncube, who told the owner he would have to talk to the D.A. before any charges could be laid. The people resident in the camp also stole maize from a nearby land on the same property. Although reported to the Police, no reaction as yet.

General - Poaching on many properties is almost out of control, with National Parks Anti-Poaching Unit initially proving to be very successful, but are now being hindered and their movements restricted by the Police in Nyamandlovu.

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