24 August 2010

RE UPDATE ON LAND INVASION OF GRASSLANDS FARM SOMABHULA
P R HAPELT

On Sunday 22 August 2010, my sister Debbie, her husband Russell, myself and my husband Rob, arrived at the farm house to find my parents and their staff in a terrible state. My mum was sobbing uncontrollably and was inconsolable.

Mr Mangena had come to the farmhouse just before we got there. When he realised that my parents would not come to speak to him, he accosted the domestic worker and told him he was aware that my parents were going to try and evict him the following day.

He advised that he had just come from President Mugabes Office and the President told him Grasslands Farm belonged to him. He advised if any of the staff are seen to be helping in the eviction, he would come back and either beat or kill the staff and my parents. He also said if the herd boys try to use the horses to round up his cattle, he would slash the legs of the horses.

On Monday 23rd of August, with Permanent Interdict in hand, we went to see the Gweru Sheriff of the Court as he advised he would carry out the eviction on that day. The Sheriff openly told us that Mr Mangena had threatened his life should he evict him. Nevertheless, he agreed to do his duty as long as the Gweru Rural Police would send a details with him to protect him.

We went to Gweru Rural Police with the Sheriff and spoke to Inspector Sithole. He flatly refused to help the Sheriff carry out the eviction stating that the Permanent Interdict was addressed to the Sheriff and not to the Police. He said this was a high profile case and he was not mandated to interfere. He told us to go back to our lawyer.

What Mr Sithole fails to realise is that the Permanent Interdict is confirmation of the Order issued with the temporary interdict on the 25 June 2010 and signed by Hon. Mr Justice N Mathonsi.
This Order clearly states, "The Officer In-Charge Zimbabwe Republic Police, Gweru Rural" as the third respondent. Under "Terms of Final Order Sought"paragraph 3, It again clearly states :

"that in the event that the appropriate officer of Court is unable to affect the terms of this order on the fourth respondent, then the third respondent is ordered to render all such necessary assistance to the appropriate officer of court in executing such order.

Inspector Sithole is in contempt of Court by refusing to help the Sheriff who is terrified of Mr Mangena. We fully understand why he would feel this way. It is alleged that Mr Mangena was personally involved in 13 instances of violence and intimidation during elections, accompanied by fully armed CIO men. Having witnessed Mr Mangena's behaviour we feel that the Sheriff has good cause to be afraid and we most certainly belive he is capable of carrying out his threats.

Lauren Nixon