Mugabe says loyal whites can keep some land in Zimbabwe***Justice for Agriculture, a new group urging farmers to challenge the evictions in court, said at least 1,000 farmers affected by eviction orders owned only one property. The group took no solace from Mugabe's speech. "We would be much happier if words were met with action on the ground," said Jenni Williams, spokeswoman for the group. Nearly 3,000 white farmers have been ordered to leave their land as part of the country's often violent program to seize white-owned farms and give them to blacks. The government has targeted 95 percent of white-owned farms for seizure.
Several senior government officials have warned white farmers they face arrest and possible imprisonment of up to two years if they continue to defy eviction orders. Mugabe did not directly refer to the eviction deadline. But in his fiery speech railing against colonialism and Britain, Mugabe strongly criticized white farmers opposing the government's policies. "No farmer to our knowledge has been rendered landless. Only the greedy are complaining," he said.***
Mugabe Remains Unyielding on Eviction of White Farmers***Prominent politicians loyal to Mr. Mugabe now control scores of fertile farms while many poor blacks are still stranded on arid stretches without adequate water or sanitation. Government-backed militants have swept across the country, invading and occupying white-owned farms. In the course of those invasions, several white farmers and black farm workers have been killed while thousands of black laborers have been evicted and left homeless.The combination of land invasions and severe drought has been devastating.
The production of corn, the country's staple food, plunged by nearly 70 percent this year, the United Nations says. The production of winter wheat, which is harvested in October, will be down by as much as 40 percent. Nearly half of Zimbabwe's population is in need of emergency food aid. Morgan Tsvangirai, who heads the country's leading opposition party, accused the government of destroying what was once one of Africa's most promising and prosperous nations.***