ACTION ALERT: Chaos and intimidation affecting several farmers in Chegutu
Details of how you can take action to support the affected people in Chegutu at the end of this post, where we ask you to call or sms Inspector Biperu, Clever Kunonga, Kembo Mohadi and Herbert Murewa.
There is chaos in Chegutu. Several farms have been experiencing an upsurge in harassment and intimidation by thugs trying to force the farmers to vacate their land. The harassment is continuing today. The reports seem to indicate that the thugs are splitting up and re-grouping on different farms, the fact that they are being ‘bussed in’ pointing to a higher level of coordination with access to resources beyond the reach of a typical poverty-stricken opportunistic ’settler’.
There are allegations that Edna Madzongwe – Speaker of the House of Senate – is linked to the upsurge in harassment in the area and possibly orchestrating the invasions. Mudzongwe has already stolen land in the area: Aitape and Stockdale Citrus Estate. The rumours are that she is desperate to acquire another farm close-by before any agreements regarding land are formalised between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
We reported on Thursday about the harassment at Umvovo Farm – the family have been under continuous intimidation since then.
In addition, Wakefield Farm, owned by Ken Bartholomew and close to Umvovo Farm, was jambanja’d by a group of “invaders”. We have been advised that approximately 200 of Bartholomew’s workers and well-wishers turned out to support the farmer and cordoned off the area, averting the danger. News today is that Wakefield Farm is quiet again. However, it has to be noted that Bartholomew has been experiencing a great deal of harassment recently, and today’s quietness may not last very long.
Friday night was a very difficult night for the Beatties on Umvovo Farm, as per Sue Beattie’s sms messages sent to a friend, who has in turn been emailing them to Sokwanele:
00.06 am No sleep tonight. Drums and singing outside our bedroom window
5:37 Drums and raucous singing outside bedroom windows from midnight. Large fires one on porch nearly lit the thatch. We will move out today and Thomas will come each morning to see to the milking etc. This is too scary
5:38 They won’t let Thomas out this morning. Officer in charge did not come last night but think he phoned because it did quieten down. This am he has switched his phone off.
5:57 Drums have started again. They won’t let Thomas out until he brings his lorry to remove stuff.
11:44 We are making inroads packing 30yrs of stuff
Tensions on Umvovo Farm reached a high point this morning, Sunday. Ben Freeth was at Tom and Sue Beattie’s home, where he and the Beattie’s daughter and son-in-law (Simon and Sarah Jane Keagal) were being held hostage – locked in and denied permission to leave the farm – until such time as they agreed to take all possessions off the farm. In other words, they were told they could only leave if they took everything with them and left for good, paving the way for the invaders to take over the homestead.
They were eventually allowed to leave Umvovo Farm. The family have removed most of their valuables and the rest of their goods have been listed in an inventory, photographed and locked in four rooms in the homestead. The invaders finally relented and released them when, in response to their taunts that the Beatties must get out because ‘they are not Zimbabwean’, Sarah Jane, Beattie’s daughter burst into tears and in her impassioned response let them know she is Zimbabwean, she is born here and asked them where else is she meant to go.
Rainbow’s End Farm, owned by Doug and Charmaine Beattie and also in the area, was also subjected to harassment by the thugs. Sue Beattie sent these sms messages today:
8:12 am Today they are over at Douglas and Charmaine’s house (Beattie – Rainbow’s End Farm). Told them they have one day to get off. Thomas [Sue Beattie's husband, Umvovo Farm] now has an interdict to say we stay but sure it won’t hold water.
8:40 We are at Rainbow’s End. Did not see Kunonga. Saw Nico and Zvaita and then just rabble.
Some names recur through all reports of the cases. Edna Madzongwe is repeatedly alleged to be the ‘big-wig’ behind the intimidation; Clever Kunonga, former Lands Officer in Chegutu has been seen in more than one of the invasions and has been identified as one of the key organisers. Sylvester Hunyani has been named as the ‘Chief-thug’. His wife has been identified as accompanying him on at least one of the invasions. Hunyani’s brother-in-law, named as Nicolas (referred to as Nico in Sue Beattie’s sms messages) is also making an appearance on different farms under siege. On Umvovo Farm he ‘prowled around’ carrying a large wrench in a threatening manner.
Reports from the farm suggest that some of the thugs are losing their passion for the job at hand. According to sources with the group of thugs, they are meant to be paid US$160 per month to do the job and their pay is not always forthcoming. Their “work” of forced eviction is bolstered by the amount of marijuana in their systems and they are now losing heart and energy. The knowledge that money, a supply of drugs, and access to transport to move between farms, all supports the perception that someone at a higher level is organising this – that ’someone’ is rumoured to be Edna Mudzongwe.
As one person who contacted us commented: the invasions have nothing to do with ideology, it is all about greed and ethnic cleansing.
ACTION ALERT
Please TAKE ACTION to support several farmers along with their farm workers and all their families, in the Chegutu area of Zimbabwe.
The Police Inspector in charge of Internal security in Chegutu is Inspector Biperu: Please call him or sms him and let him know he is being watched. Remind him that there will come a day when the rule of law will return to Zimbabwe, and he will be held accountable for any support of lawless activities including intimidation, harassment, and theft of property. Please emphasise to Inspector Biperu, that there is a real risk of looting on Umvovo Farm. This would be blatant theft. He must ensure this does not happen. His cell phone number is +263-912-640542.
Clever Kunonga’s cell phone number is +263-913-045245. Please call or sms him, and warn him that his name has been brought to worldwide attention as a key orchestrator of lawless activities in the Chegutu area. Advise him to re-consider exposing himself to facing the consequences of the law at a future date in Zimbabwe. Does he want to risk jail just so a big-wig can acquire more land?
Kembo Mohadi is the Zanu PF Co-Minister of Home Affairs must be advised to enforce the rule of law in Zimbabwe and take action against any lawless activities. Please call or sms him and ask him to take action against the dreadful activities in Chegutu, advise him that Edna Madzongwe is allegedly involved and ask him to investigate these rumours and enforce the rule of law as appropriate. Please also remind him that Article 18 of Global Political Agreement includes the following clauses.
(d) that all political parties, other organisations and their leaders shall commit themselves to do everything to stop and prevent all forms of political violence, including by non-State actors and shall consistently appeal to their members to desist from violence;
In his capacity as Home Affairs Minister, Mohadi has a professional, moral and political duty to take action. Call or sms hiMohadi m on +263-11-605424
Herbert Murewa is the Minister of Lands and Resettlement. He can be called on +263-4-733995 (working hours). Murewa must be advised that the Chegutu harassment is particularly inflammatory in the wake of the recent BIPPA and SADC rulings, and that the activities in Chegutu risk creating tensions between South Africa and Zimbabwe, further undermining the GPA. He has a responsibility to ensure that farms are not stolen to satisfy the greed and ambitions of senior Zanu PF politicians. He needs to take action to stop this, and should keep in mind that a future land audit will expose this level of corruption,. If he does act, he risks being tarred as corrupt as well. He should contact Edna Madzongwe, and tell her to STOP this immediately.
November 29th, 2009 16:24
Is their no remorse for those who have suffered by the hands of the present government. does anyone care what happens to the people of zimbabwe and how this effects their lives. why do the people who can do something not do anything about it, i am crying out in pain for my country and friends please help
November 29th, 2009 18:44
I’ve smsed the whole lot, minus Murewa as no cell number. No response yet but will be sure to post if anyone does get back to me. This type of action seemed to be effective when Roy Bennett was arrested so let’s hope it can work again.
November 30th, 2009 00:35
@Gary – MY HEART ACHES FOR MY COUNTRY AND THE FARMERS ENDURING THIS HARRASSMENT . PlEASE IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING TO HELP DON’T IGNORE THIS!
November 30th, 2009 20:44
I phoned the Inspector Biperu from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and there was a ringing tone after quite a while. It was very crackly so I said ‘Hello, is Inspector Biperu there?’ Some noise, ‘Hello, are you there can you hear me?’ I said. ‘Mandla’ I heard (power?) I have just got through and told him the mps Sir Malcolm Rifkind in london and Sir Charles Tannock are observing what is going on and to make sure there is no looting on the farm. It was a long and protracted conversation. I gave my family names twice as well. The other numbers I tried earlier but where engaged or not available at the time. I hope it all helps.
November 30th, 2009 21:01
PS Inspector Biperu tried at first to deny who he was, I said but you are a Police inspector and so he asked in which area,? I said Chegutu.. Once I had got him to admit: I asked him to ask Edna MadZingwa to STOP THE FARM INVASIONS.
December 1st, 2009 14:17
Messages sent to all above numbers. Message as follows:
Please authorities in Zimbabwe take action to stop the dreadful violence and looting in Chegutu and Selous. The world can see and everyone knows that Edna Madzongwe is involved AGAIN. Why would you pay to help this rich woman? Our SA Government has sworn to uphold the SADC ruling on farm invasions, everyone who destroys a farm or steals will face justice in the end and they will pay. Assets of Zimbabwe will be attached and you will be blamed. This is wrong and it is hurting the people of Zimbabwe. The people of Southern Africa will not forgive! Stop the chaos and the jambanja and let the people work and eat!! Police do the job you are paid for.
December 1st, 2009 15:37
I am a cousin of Tom, living in the U.K.
I have passed all to my M.P. and asked him to pass on to the British foreign sec, (another usless ***hole) Suggestions on what else I can do?
Please send to {virtussemper01@btconnect.com]
December 3rd, 2009 14:53
Stuart you may have not heard that the Sherriff of the Court tried to serve papers on these thugs. They held him for over an hour and threatened to kill him. He left.
I have also just heard that these thugs have denied the domestic and the dairy man access to the homestead and dairy. All Tom and Sues animals are at the house and need to be fed and watered and the cows need milking. What on earth are they supposed to do next?
Keep pushing with your MP despite the fact that you think he’s an a/h!!! Try to get anything possible published anywhere.
The BBC contacted Sue for an interview and asked if she minded if they publish her full name and where she is at this moment. Of course she agreed but when she started giving an account of the events and mentioned the names of the so-called invaders, the BBC reporter said that they didn’t want to publish to names of the thugs. You figure? Reporting is definitely one-sided. What are they afraid of?
@Stuart Smith -
December 4th, 2009 00:28
No my M.P. is okay just the British Foreign sec is a waste of space but never the less I will mail him tomorrow.
I will also send to the B.B.C. On monday (07/12/09) I was also to have had a meeting with David Cameron, but just can not make it.
In fact will mail as many M.P’s as possible.
Tsitsi, Sue did text me when I was in London, have put more back to her but no reply, sometimes (quite a lot, as E-Mails too) they do not get through?
Tsitsi do we know each other?
Stuart.
December 5th, 2009 17:14
Sir Malcom Rifkind spent time as a resident of Zimbabwe, so shares a concern for its future. Charles Tannock is our MEP. Geoffrey Van Orden is our MEP. I hope they share good information and work for democracy to be implemented in Southern Africa.
In the UK the easiest way to contact your MP’s MEP’s etc. is http://www.writetothem.com/about-contact
It’s best to find a party that will take it up and write to those mps who take it up. Otherwise they may both drop you if it’s not decided who will take it further.
see http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/03/julius-malema-south-africa-leader?showallcomments=true#end-of-comments
I have just spoken to my cousin in Richmond South Africa. A couple on a farm nearby, whom they know were targeted after Bible Study 9.30pm one night. A car followed them home with no lights on. They jumped out and attacked the couple and robbed them of jewellery, money, many things. When the husband started calling on Lord Jesus: they fled. ”Only to come back two weeks later to smash these two dear people up.” said my cousin. We Didn’t talk further as they had callers. How can people be so heartless to ignore what is happening in Southern Africa?
To all you apologists in the SADC, ANC and supporters of Despot Robber and (Dis)Grace Mugabe and Zanu-PF. You know who you are, THE SHAME OF AFRICA!- May the Angels of the Lord, Chase and Persecute you, for Lord Jesus Christ’s Sake. Amen.
December 6th, 2009 20:06
I’m happy to report that the couple near Richmond SA, escaped by hiding somewhere upstairs where they weren’t found. Downstairs, they completely shot the place up, through the curtains, windows, deep freeze, Tv etc. etc.
The Churches from all demoninations got together and prayed about this and a few days later the guys who did it were caught.
December 7th, 2009 00:21
The time is 10:12 P.M. 06/12/2009 and I have just had an E-Mail from my M.P. David Mundell, and he has said he has passed every thing on to the Brisish Foreign Secretary.
I am usually in bed this time on a sunday night but met a Zimbabwe girl on the www. whatever,etc [...] who is also appaled by this goings on and I do not know any LOCAL who would / have voted for this, I do think most 94+% voted against Mugabe at the last election but as you know it was sabotaged!
I know that does us no good, but we are right,,,,but are the rest of the world bothered enough?
That is the main point….