Posted on 06/27/2003 9:17:20 AM PDT by Clive
A farm manager, his wife and his son were severely assaulted on a farm near Harare earlier this week, farmers' group Justice for Agriculture reported yesterday.
On Monday afternoon, at Chitsanza farm, south of Harare, Ronnie Saul was asked by three Zanu PF youths to open the security gate to discuss "important business". He was then attacked by the youths and six others hiding nearby.
His hands and feet were bound, and he was slapped and kicked over a period of five hours by the group, which grew in size to almost 40 individuals.
Saul is 72 years of age, and had been driven from his own farm in January 2002. His wife Norma, 70, was prevented from leaving the kitchen in the homestead by Zanu PF youth, who were looting the fridge and pantry of food.
She eventually managed to phone her son, Jamie Saul, but the phone was grabbed by one of the militia, who instructed him to send an ambulance, saying his mother was "seriously ill". The ambulance arrived, but was turned away at the gate.
Jamie went to the farm, but was then also attacked by the militia. His feet and hands were bound with bark rope and wire, severely disrupting his circulation.
He was made to kneel, and was then beaten with chains, sticks, fanbelts, and a burning log. He sustained a broken nose, facial lacerations, and severe bruising and burns.
His parents tried to protect him from his attackers, and in the process his mother sustained a broken thumb and severe bruising to her arms.
The family were eventually "allowed to leave" later than night.
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