Rusape family under siege by violent land invaders

By Alex Bell
04 February 2010

Yet another farming family in Rusape has come under siege by farm invaders this week as the offensive against the remaining commercial farmers in Zimbabwe continues.

The wife of farmer Robin Ziehl, and Ziehl’s 80 year old father were both trapped inside one room in the elderly man’s house on Thursday. The pair barricaded themselves inside the room out of fear of a group of violent youths who have been threatening violence against them. The group of about 13 youths stole a 9mm pistol from the family and has been threatening to use the weapon against the Ziehls unless they leave the farm.

Robin Ziehl and his wife Cynthia moved out of their own home on the farm they share with Ziehl’s father, after they were forced out last month by land invaders. They had moved into their father’s home on the same property in order to continue farming on the farm that has been earmarked for takeover by the Deputy Assistant District Administrator for Rusape, Mr Museka.

According to the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) police have refused to assist the Ziehls, merely saying, “It is all over.” The union said on Thursday that there were two plain clothes policemen on the farm who were also refusing to assist.

The Rusape farming community has been left shocked by a spate of attacks against farmers in recent weeks, all taking place under the guise of land ‘reform.’ In the Nyazura district, Dolf du Toit and his family have been warned that the army will be used to evict them from their Excelsior Farm. They have only just returned to the property after being forced to flee two weeks ago by land invaders working for Brigadier Innocent Chiganze of the Zimbabwean air force, who says he is the rightful owner.

The Du Toits original eviction from their property came in the wake of a number of other incidents against farmers in the area. Early last month, farmer Gavin Woest was evicted from his property by a gang working for former Lands Minister Didymus Mutasa. Mutasa tried to force Woest to sign an illegal contract to hand over 20% of his tobacco crop from last year, and a further 20% of the coming year’s crop. But Woest refused to sign and found himself driven off his land. It is known that Mutasa already owns more than ten farms in the area, proving once again that the land attacks have little to do with empowerment or reform, and all to do with greed.

The Woest’s eviction came days after a South African farming family was forced to flee their property on Christmas Eve. Ray Finaughty and his family from Manda Farm, were given three hours to pack up their belongings and flee the property, following days of intimidation and harassment by a gang of suspected youth militia.