HARARE The High Court Judge is expected this week to order the arrest of two key figures in Zimbabwes defence forces who failed to deal with an army officer responsible for illegally seizing a white farmers land, but it is likely that the men will continue to operate above the law. (Pictured: Charles Lock has refused to relinquish his farm assets.)Army commander, Lieutenant-General Philip Sibanda, and the police commissioner,Augustine Chihuri, did nothing to bring army general Justin Majaji to account for his invasion of Charles Locks farm Karori in 2007. Majaji had no legal claim on the land, however, he chased Lock and his farm workers from the property on three separate occasions. Lock fought the army general through the court, but eventually left the farm when one of Mujajis men shot his farm worker and raped a woman on the property.
Lock was determined to hold on to his assets and less than two weeks ago Judge Rita Makarau gave the farmer a fortnight to remove his tobacco and maize crops and all of the equipment that was still on the farm. Mujaji was placed under the care of Sibanda and Chihuri to ensure that he complied with the courts order. The two commanding officers already stand in contempt of court for not disciplining Mujaji in 2008.
As is the practice in Zimbabwe today, it is expected that nothing will happen to the security chiefs. The commanders know that they are above the law. The judge may issue warrants for their arrest, but it is highly unlikely that policemen on the ground in Zimbabwe will carry out the arrests.