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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Zim: Government Takes Back Unused Farms |
| 2008-02-06 |
| At least 1449 farms seized from their former white owners have now been taken back by government because they were either empty or no farming was taking place. The state owned Herald newspaper quoted State Security and Lands Resettlement Minister Didymus Mutasa saying his ministry was repossessing, 'all vacant and underutilised A2 farms,' and the ministry was, 'not going back on this exercise.' Although the minister said the farms would be given to deserving applicants the issue has highlighted one of the major criticisms of the land grab, which saw political cronies with no farming experience helping themselves to huge tracts of land. Over 4000 white commercial farmers who formed the backbone of the agricultural economy were forced off their farms in a violent campaign that Mugabe tried to use to shore up his waning popularity. A defeat in a constitutional referendum in 2000 triggered this backlash from the Zanu PF leader who alleged that white farmers were supporting the opposition. The regime sponsored violent thugs to evict, brutalise and, in some cases, murder the farmers. Mugabe's regime then passed a raft of laws in parliament aimed at blocking any legal action farmers might try to oppose acquisition by the government. Another feature of the land reform exercise was how influential members of Mugabe's inner circle were rewarded with farms. Members of the military, police, prison and security services were given farms, as were other individuals working for the state owned media, judges and businessmen loyal to Zanu PF. The few villagers who had been used to invade some of the farms were later kicked out to make way for the senior figures in the regime. As the dust settles on this farming upheaval, audits by government officials now show how the farms have fallen into ruin. Houses on the farms have had their roofs, windows and other equipment stripped. The few farm inputs given to the new farmers have all been sold on the black market. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #6 I jus be gettin up. What da fuck is this? I ain't even be done rippin out da pipes yet. Helluva way to be treatin a war vetrin... |
| Posted by: Farmin B. Hard 2008-02-06 13:32 |
| #5 helping themselves to huge tracts of land HERBERT: But I don't want land. FATHER: Listen, Alice... HERBERT: Herbert. FATHER: Herbert. We live in a bloody swamp. We need all the land we can get. HERBERT: But I don't like her. FATHER: Don't like her?! What's wrong with her? She's beautiful, she's rich, she's got huge... tracts of land. (I couldn't resist.) |
| Posted by: Spot 2008-02-06 08:18 |
| #4 Farmin B. Hard was unavailable for comment. |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2008-02-06 06:45 |
| #3 "So little done, so much to do." Forget the Uitlanders, send for Krüger! |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-02-06 04:26 |
| #2 And just WHO are you going to "Give" them to this time? Bob and (other) friends, of course! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-02-06 03:38 |
| #1 At least 1449 farms seized from their former white owners have now been taken back by government because they were either empty or no farming was taking place. And just WHO are you going to "Give" them to this time? Your actions are duly noted by all who would farm, and I'd be really surprised if you get any "Takers" this go round. Theft is never an incentive to work harder. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2008-02-06 01:07 |