Violent farm grabs return as police, army and lands officials defy laws

By Tererai Karimakwenda
23 April, 2007

Farmers in the sugar growing lowveld area report that illegal and violent farm seizures have intensified in the last few weeks. White farmers still on their properties believe there is a renewed drive by the government to finally eliminate all whites from commercial farms in the area by the end of the year.

According to John Worsley Worswick of Justice for Agriculture (JAG), some farmers were forced to leave their household goods rather than take any risks with the armed invaders. Worswick said recent evictions have not only been illegal, but they have taken place in the presence of officials from the Zimbabwe National Army, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Central Intelligence Organisation. They chose this time of year because sugar is ready to be harvested.

Worswick explained that when the government passed Amendment #17, it made some concessions to allow farmers to harvest their crops and then vacate their properties. Specific dates were set for each type of crop and as the time periods expire, the white farmers are expected to leave. Worswick said the government officials were now targeting the lowveld because “it is prime time for leeching.”

Chiredzi farmer Gerry Whitehead said the situation is reminiscent of the 2002 farm invasions when violent, armed seizure or "jambanja" was the order of the day. He said the existing laws governing land reform are being by-passed or simply ignored. Worswick agreed with this assessment as he had several farmers from the Chiredzi Triangle area in his office last Friday. He said: “With this type of invasion weapons are visibly displayed.”

According to Whitehead, some police have openly apologized to some farmers saying they are under orders to back up the land officials. Whitehead believes there is currently a lot of dissention within the ranks of the Chiredzi police.