Justice for Agriculture (JAG) Sitrep

The GMB 'Task Force' has over the course of the last week visited at least six farms in order to remove maize grown on the farms. This task force typically consists of a number of GMB officials in a 7 tonne truck, often accompanied by an army truck with a number of soldiers. They operate in an exceedingly unpleasant manner, threatening workers and demanding the keys for barns and warehouses. On Grenora Farm they forced the workers to lie on the ground and threatened to run them over unless they yielded the keys for the barn. The task force took 21of 31 tonnes from Jambo Farm, 5 of 15t from Elephant's Rest Farm and a further 10 tonnes from Kemasimbi farm. Obviously this leaves most of these farms understocked for the next year. The task force has promised to return to the area this week, after the expiry of the GMB "grace period" for delivery of wheat to its depots.

Lilie Farm, belonging to Scott von Memerty, was invaded on Friday by seven armed and uniformed Air Force personnel who informed him that they were taking the farm on behalf of Wing Commander Musiyaziriwo, and that he was to vacate the property. He showed them his High Court ruling overturning the section 8 on his property, but they refused to acknowledge that it had any jurisdiction over them. He then called the police and the DA, who both informed him that he was within his rights to remain on the farm, and the police promised to react if necessary. The AFZ officer in charge threatened to shoot the police if they attempted to arrest him or take a statement, and after two days Mr von Memerty returned to Harare from the farm, leaving the seven AFZ officers inside the security fence. No resolution has yet been achieved, since the AFZ personnel refuse to move from the property and are still demanding that Mr von Memerty vacate the property.

Thandanani Farm, owned by John and Margaret Sankey, is one of the largest vegetable growing farms for the bulawayo market, sending in some 16 tonnes of sweet potatoes per day in season, in addition to other vegetables. The farm used to consist of four 100ha farms, but three have been taken already been taken. The fourth has now been claimed by a CIO official, Andreson Chibaya. Chibaya has forced the couple off the farm, threatening them at gunpoint, and evicting them on Tuesday last week. Police refused to respond, instead giving the couple a lecture about "getting on with the "neighbours"! Since then Chibaya has been harvesting their crop and selling it in town, as well as stealing four million dollars worth of fertilizer and irrigation equipment. The Sankeys have had to abandon some 500 million dollars worth of farm machinery and their home on the farm.

Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2018 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2018 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement