Police refuse to vacate invaded farm in Matabeleland North

By Tererai Karimakwenda
May 23, 2007

We reported last week that the eviction of white farmers had intensified and become militarized in the last few months, with police and army officials increasingly becoming the new beneficiaries of this illegal campaign. The Zimbabwe Republic Police took over a farm in Matabeleland North province two months ago. And they have refused to leave despite a High Court order to vacate the premises. According to recent reports, the police have not only ignored the courts, but they have moved more people onto the property, named Portwe Farm.

The order was issued last week by High Court Judge Francis Bere. It called on the police to stop interfering with operations at Portwe Farm and to return guns and farmhouse keys which were taken illegally from the owners, Dave and Margaret Joubert. It turned out Joubert’s neighbour is the former governor of Matabeleland North, Welshman Mabhena. He told us the police were still living on Joubert’s farm but were not growing any food. Mabhena said the foreman told him all the farm workers had been chased away and many had gone back to their communal lands.

The former governor said he was shocked that an institution of government was involved in the taking of land from civilians. He explained: “These are the people who should see to it that the law is observed where there is dissatisfaction, and justice can be allowed to play its role. You should be running to them, not from them.” According to reports, Joubert’s lawyers are preparing to file a contempt of court suit against the police.

Mabhena said farm evictions are being reported all over the province of Matabeleland North. He believes when it is the police doing it, orders must be coming from the uppermost levels of government. In the case of Portwe farm, the police first arrived last March in a convoy of 20 marked police cars. They shut down a safari lodge that is on the farm, and chased away foreign tourists.