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Police harrass Masvingo farmers while defying court orders to return stolen equipment
By Tererai Karimakwenda
26 January 2006
Zimbabwe police are alleged to be harassing Chiredzi farmer Gerry Whitehead and another lowveld farmer, accusing them of disabling their equipment which was taken illegally by the police. In mid November 2005, the Farm Materials Equipment Committee headed by assistant police commissioner Mrs Ndanga raided farms in the lowveld and took possession of farm equipment which they sold at auction. Some of the equipment was temporarily stored at the Masvingo police station. A group of farmers went to court and won, but the police have refused to abide by the decision, which was to return all stolen equipment immediately. Instead, the farmers say they are now being accused of sabotage.
Still trying to rely on the rule of law, farmers in the area applied to have the courts order the police to arrest those responsible for stealing the equipment, including Mrs Ndanga. But there has been no progress. No equipment has been returned and the farmers find themselves again on the defensive. The police and the Farm Materials Equipment Committee are now in contempt of court. The farmers have lost faith in the system, but they continue to press on in an environment weighed heavily against them. They believe the police have the support of government officials in top positions.
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