Chiredzi farmers to defy illegal eviction notices

By Tererai Karimakwenda
02 February 2007

A group of white commercial farmers in Chiredzi who were served with eviction notices have resolved to stay on their properties because the eviction orders are not legally binding. They received notices which stipulated they were to list all the farm equipment they owned and vacate their houses by this coming Saturday. An unspecified number of them met this week to discuss their options and according to Chiredzi farmer Gerry Whitehead, most will not comply with the orders because they were not signed by a court of law as is required.

Whitehead explained that the majority of notices served on the Chiredzi farmers were signed by local lands officers, who have no authority to evict anyone. A few were signed by the state security and land reform minister Didymus Mutasa who has said the future of agriculture in Zimbabwe is black. But according to Whitehead even Minister Mutasa cannot in his capacity sign eviction orders. Whitehead said: “From a law point of view we can punch holes all over these orders. They are not legal. Absolutely not.”

The farmers are said to be depressed as the weekend deadline approaches as they face losing everything they own. Whitehead said many have stopped farming and this is two months into the season.

An estimated 200 white farmers are believed to be still occupying their properties around the country. Earlier this month Minister Mutasa was quoted saying only those white farmers with “good human relations” with the government will be able to continue farming. Farmers’ organisations and observers say this means farmers who support the ruling party will be allowed to stay.