Inyathi residents rally behind invaded farm owner

By Alex Bell & Lionel Saungweme
18 November

Residents of Inyathi have rallied behind a local farmer whose land has been forcibly seized by a Bulawayo High Court Judge, signing a petition for the farm to be left in peace.

Farmer Glen James has faced renewed attack on his farm by men working for Bulawayo High Court Judge, Maphios Cheda. Cheda has been trying to force James to leave the land since August, and the Judge’s hired thugs have been using government equipment, including tractors and weapons, to plunder the land and stop farming there. The thugs, believed to be CIO operatives, have caused a number of disturbances on the farm over several weeks, including firing shots at James’ staff last month. James meanwhile has also been issued with various offer letters, dated the 21st September, despite Cheda and his men starting their seizure of the land in August.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Lionel Saungweme joined an Inyathi residents meeting on Saturday where the locals showed their support for James, calling him an integral part of the community. Last month the residents had resolved to support James, by writing a petition to the Minister of Lands and Land Resettlement, the district administrator and Judge Cheda himself. The petition, signed by the community, was hand delivered to Cheda on Saturday, and was also sent to the other recipients, although there has been no response as of yet.

Saungweme explained that James is a vital part of the local community, helping with development projects and even allowing local cattle herders to water their animals on his land. Even local members of the War Veterans Association, who have notoriously led farm invasions over the years, expressed their support for James, who they say is part of the community.

James had been trying to seek legal protection against Judge Cheda, and Saungweme explained the farmer already had the law on his side. In Inyathi, a local Lands Act prevents farms of less than 1000 hectares in size from being considered for forced acquisition. James’ 608 hectare farm falls into this category, and by law cannot be acquired for ‘resettlement’ or ‘land reform’.

But Saungweme explained further that James has now decided not to challenge the courts, acknowledging that the legal route is of no value in Zimbabwe. The farmer explained at the residents meeting that their support speaks volumes, adding he is putting his faith in the strength of their backing for the protection of his land.