Police block Bennett from getting farm equipment

In a letter to lawyers representing the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), which now runs Charleswood Estate after President Robert Mugabe’s previous administration seized it from the MDC politician, Bennetts lawyers said senior police officers blocked Bennett from getting onto the property.

All other cars were allowed to pass without incident. Only our clients entourage was stopped, said the lawyers. The roadblock was mounted by very senior police officers, some of whom had guns and some who appeared intoxicated. Our clients wife was threatened with death, said the lawyers.

“Unprintable words were said to our client. He, upon pain of injury and death, was then compelled to turn back and return. The whole experience was harrowing.

Honey and Blanckenberg wrote the letter after the authority said they would only assist Bennett to move his equipment if he paid fuel, food, accommodation, travelling and subsistence expenses for ARDAs staff.

ARDA argued that on March 27, 2010 they had travelled to Charleswood but were disappointed that Bennett did not arrive to move his equipment.

However, Bennetts lawyers said they believe ARDA is working hand in glove with the police to stop their client from accessing Charleswood estate.

Our client believes that this roadblock was mounted at the instigation of your client. To that end our client is not responsible for the costs incurred by yours but will look at yours to settle his, Honey and Blanckenberg said.

Bennett has been struggling to remove his property from Charleswood Estate for years and there have been reports that some of the property, including bulldozers and tractors, are missing from the farm.

The MDC politician was recently acquitted of terrorism charges but state prosecutors have appealed against the High Court ruling.

ARDA is best remembered for seizing, in 2005, Kondozi Estates in Manicaland province, then one of the most productive farms in the country. It has since been turned it into a large derelict piece of land.

The institution was set up to spearhead agricultural and rural development with increased support to smallholder farmers to facilitate the production of sufficient high-quality food for the nation and generate employment and income.