Farm Reports

6^th June 2000

Please take the time to read this report, if only to see what our Farmers are going through – Thanks.

ZanuPF supporters, led by war veterans, are still disrupting commercial farm operations, interfering with preparation for winter cropping and making demands for food, liquor & transport.

In some cases the invaders are demanding permanent houses. Farmers are resisting such demands.

Police are also reacting to reported cases, although criminal activity has increased.

Shamva – Large groups of invaders have infiltrated the area, making unreasonable demands.

Centenary – After a relatively stable 2 weeks, Centenary is being subjected to a new phase of work stoppages. Wheat irrigation has been re-established on Mount Parnis and Sharon Farms, but all tobacco operations, including grading, have been stopped on Eureka, Mutorazeni and Tekwani Farms. The war vets are undertaking a survey of the district including total hectarage and arable hectarage. There are still unreasonable demands, especially for transport. Two senior war veterans are visiting farms advising farmers to continue with their seedbeds.

Victory Block – A farm labourer was seriously assaulted on Birkdale Farm

Mvurwi - It would appear that there has been political interference, with allegations of excessive force, following the attempted storming of ZanuPF supporters of Mvurwi Police station which resulted in the death of one ZanuPF supporter. Excessive demands continue, especially for transport.

Three war vets, plus 50 youths arrived at Umsengesi Farm and took the owner’s brother-in-law, wife, children, and visitors from England hostage. Nick Syrett, the owner’s brother-in-law was assaulted and knocked unconscious. The crowd has since swelled to 200 and the women and children have been released. The usual demands have been made, including a demand for an impala to be shot.

A lorry went missing from Sanford Farm and arrived at Umsengesi Farm loaded with people.

Horseshoe – During a rally at Nyamsewe Farm, threats were made to the owner and all senior management were told to leave. This has now been resolved. On Makombe Farm, threats have been made to the main foreman, and he has been told to leave, together with senior management. Generally, the demands being made for more permanent housing are being resisted. There was a visit by 120 invaders to Mazowe Citrus Ranch.

Shamva – A 3 ton truck was commandeered from Golden Star Farm in the absence of the owner. Ceres Farm was thoroughly searched by Police and army engineers, but nothing incriminating was found. About 120 war veterans have commenced pegging at Tipperary Farm.

Glendale – There was a large ZanuPF rally, addressed by MP Chimutengwende and Governor Gezi, at Villa Franca Farm at the weekend. There was a tense period before the rally, when a group of 25 invaders in pre-rally hype, attempted to break down the gate to the homestead. The situation ran out of momentum after the community reacted.

Youths badly assaulted 8 workers, including a woman, at Plymouth Farm for failing to attend a rally. The woman was treated at the clinic.

During the rally on Villa Franca, demands were made for hot food and a cow was shot. Complaints were made that food had not been provided for Chimutengwende and Gezi. The owner requested a meeting with the Governor, who advised that they did not expect food to be provided at all for the speakers or the people. The Governor has asked the CIO to investigate the matter. The Governor further stated that it was nonsense that demands were being made for food, and that some people had jumped on the bandwagon, and were using the Government for their own gain. At a security meeting afterwards, it was agreed that no demands were to be conceded to. However, transport will be provided by the farmer to ferry the labour to various meetings. The main emphasis of the rally was on how to vote.

The assistant manager and a security guard at Chibara Farm were abducted, but were returned unharmed.

Mazowe/Concession – A ZanuPF rally with about 1000 people was held on Belgownie Farm without incident. Concession held an MDC rally on Saturday and several assaults occurred. A large group visited Spa Farm and demanded that the owner vacate the farmhouse as the farm is listed for compulsory acquisition. Police defused the situation.

Shamva – Two workers were assaulted on Lions Den Farm for allegedly moving pegs. The owner of Robin Hood Farm continues to be harassed for video footage of the original invasion that the war vets are convinced he has in his possession.

Harare West – Demarcation of land by civil servants has taken place on Calgary Farm, and a house has been occupied by a member of the Defence Force. Most farming operations, including wheat, have been stopped, but dairy and roses continue.

Norton – Farmers were forced to attend rallies on Sunday, but no violence was reported. Numbers of veterans diminished after meetings with Police on Friday.

Chegutu – Armed poachers were seen on Tiverton & Ranwick Farms yesterday. Police reacted but no arrests were made.

Suri-Suri – Pegging took place on Cigaro Farm and the group is heading for Maridadi Farm.

Karoi – Singing & dancing taking place outside homestead on Nassau Estate every evening. Daily intimidation in farm labourers compound. Invaders selling fish from the dam. Manager of Westacre Farm complied with demands for transport, but denied food. Tractor driver on Chisanje Farm accused of being an MDC supporter and beaten. Invaders on Helwyn and Grand Parade threatened to remove the cattle if a tractor was not provided for them. Another driver assaulted on Templecoombe Farm, but transport denied. War veterans aggressively demanding more land on Pendennis Farm after half the farm already signed over. Situation defused by the member-in-charge.

At Dayesa Farm, vehicle stolen, but later recovered in Gutu. Two people arrested. The owner of Tivoli Farm was forcibly taken to a ZanuPF rally in the Magudu communal lands, and was verbally abused and threatened.

Trucks were commandeered from Virginia, Hazledeen and Westacre Farms.

Raffingora – 6000 people from 44 farms held a rally.

Chinhoyi – 12 people harassed farmer on Sinoia Drift Farm, then left, leaving 2 behind. War vets threatening to re-educate the fore-man on Laighmans Farm.

Banket – 2 war vets from Pambile Farm demanding money on Between Rivers Farm. On Sholliver Farm, took over a house. They then took a tractor by force, and ordered labourers to accompany them. Another tractor & trailer was taken from Birchleighvale Farm. Youths demands on Chimwemwe Farm not met. The owner of Mvou Farm was abducted but later released.

Tengwe – Work stoppages and productivity affected at the bottom end of this area.

Macheke/Virginia – 423 war vets located on different farms in the area. General situation has deteriorated over the past few days, and youths are operating along the Virginia Road. The new group of invaders on Athlone Farm are being accommodated in houses. Support Unit defused a situation on Wheatlands Farm. Youths severely beat the workers on Welcome Farm who were taken to the clinic for treatment.

Five vehicles and a tractor & trailer involved in invasions of Arcadia, Alexandria & Lydiasdale, which were pegged, with plots being sold on Arcadia by the war vets. Two workers removed involuntarily for re-education, and then returned. A death threat received on Alexandria/Carolina.

At Airlie Farm, a foreman was beaten up and police could not react due to a shortage of fuel. At Paradise Farm, was vets demanded $55 from each worker.

Marondera North - A peaceful meeting held at Domavale Farm.

Beatrice/Harare South – A ZanuPF meeting at Brechin School was attended by 8000 workers and 20 commercial farmers. 6 farmers in the area still unable to return to their farms.

War vets gathered all farm labourers along the Hunyani river, told them to pay a nominal fee, and then peg land. The Harare Task Force and war vets leaders defused the situation, and workers returned to their homes with their cash refunded.

Wedza – 250 invaders on Bolton Farm and beat the workers. Trucks arrived to remove the tobacco, but owners refused to load before being paid. Owner of Brent Farm was instructed to send workers to a meeting at Exeter, and to peg the property. Further pegging taking place on Dean Farm, and a driver’s house been taken over by war vets. 50 vets moved on to Healy Farm. Demands for food were rejected. Youths commandeered a tractor & trailer on Masasa Estate, farmer managed to get it back. Further 400ha of Lifton Farm pegged.

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