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Zimbabwe militants, mostly war veterans, have forcibly seized at least
60 white-owned farms, apparently on government orders, a farmers'
representative said Tuesday.
Workers at a Zimbabwe farm catch a ride home Monday after war veterans
threatened to occupy the land.
1 of 3 Dozens of farmers have gone into hiding for fear that their
land will be taken, according to John Worsley Worswick of Justice for
Agriculture, a Harare-based group that supports farmers' rights in
Zimbabwe.
"We've witnessed a backlash, an outright attack on commercial
farmers," Worswick said. "There are 450 farmers and workers left. ...
They're in the process of being driven off their farms."
The farm seizures began sporadically Saturday and Sunday, but they
have spread in the last 24 hours, he said.
In some instances, Zimbabwe police have responded, but instead of
helping, the authorities are making sure the ousted farmers don't come
back, Worswick said.
"Police have moved in afterward and are guarding those properties
against the return of the farmers," he said.
The veterans are hard-line supporters of President Robert Mugabe, who
is struggling to remain in power after a close race with opposition
leader Morgan Tsvangirai... (continues)
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/04/08/zimbabwe.election/index.html
60 white-owned farms, apparently on government orders, a farmers'
representative said Tuesday.
Workers at a Zimbabwe farm catch a ride home Monday after war veterans
threatened to occupy the land.
1 of 3 Dozens of farmers have gone into hiding for fear that their
land will be taken, according to John Worsley Worswick of Justice for
Agriculture, a Harare-based group that supports farmers' rights in
Zimbabwe.
"We've witnessed a backlash, an outright attack on commercial
farmers," Worswick said. "There are 450 farmers and workers left. ...
They're in the process of being driven off their farms."
The farm seizures began sporadically Saturday and Sunday, but they
have spread in the last 24 hours, he said.
In some instances, Zimbabwe police have responded, but instead of
helping, the authorities are making sure the ousted farmers don't come
back, Worswick said.
"Police have moved in afterward and are guarding those properties
against the return of the farmers," he said.
The veterans are hard-line supporters of President Robert Mugabe, who
is struggling to remain in power after a close race with opposition
leader Morgan Tsvangirai... (continues)
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/04/08/zimbabwe.election/index.html