Farm Violence gains Momentum, while Unity Government refuses to Act

By Alex Bell
A Zimbabwe farmer who had a personal visit from a ministerial team investigating the fresh wave of land attacks last week, has described his shock that within an hour of the visit, he came under fresh attack from land invaders.

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara last week traveled to Chegutu with a team of ministers to report on the ongoing land invasions, which have seen most of the country’s remaining farmers forced into hiding. After a whirlwind tour of the Mount Carmel farm, which has been under siege by a gang of invaders for more than three weeks, Mutambara ordered the invaders off the land. He accused them of “reaping what they did not sow,” of breaking the law and destroying the economy. He also told policemen, who have supported the invasion from the start, to uphold the law and even called one of Mugabe’s loyalists ‘immoral’.

Mugabe’s land minister, Herbert Murerwa, who was also part of the ministerial team drafted to probe the farm attacks, had to endure a reported ‘volley of anger’ from Mutambara when he saw tens of thousands of kilograms of export fruit rotting on the farm. Farmer Ben Freeth has been prevented from entering his packing shed in the past few weeks because of an ongoing invasion, which has now seen almost the entire property become a looting ground and campsite for lawless thugs.

The Deputy Prime Minister told the assembled crowd on the farm that Freeth and his workers must be left to live in their homes peacefully and to return to work the same day. But a mere hour later, after Mutambara left the family with hope that their plight was at an end, Freeth and his workers were once again chased away by the same gang of invaders. Freeth explained on Monday that very little has since changed on the farm, with the invaders still running rampant on his land. He told SW Radio Africa that he had hoped that the ministers’ visit “would at the very least mean a start of the return to the rule of law.” But he explained that his produce is still being stolen in mass quantities, and the property is still blocked by the invaders.

Freeth also expressed shock that Mutambara has since responded to the news that his orders are being ignored, by saying he would not take any action. Mutambara said: “What matters is that the next time Mugabe denies there have been fresh land invasions I can say that is not true, I saw it for myself.” The statement is another clear indication that the MDC holds no power in the unity government, with Robert Mugabe at its helm. Freeth explained that a High Court order protecting the family was granted on Monday, but argued that the order will likely not prevent the invasion from continuing.

“A farm down the road has also been attacked over the weekend, by gangs supported by police.” Freeth explained. “That farm is also protected by the courts so what will it mean for our farm? Very little.”

Eight Mount Carmel workers meanwhile are still being kept behind bars on trumped up kidnapping charges. The rest of Freeth’s staff have been forced into hiding because of vicious attacks by the land invaders.