Soldiers rape women, loot property at Karori Farm

In a bid to displace the rape victims so that they fail to stand as state witnesses in court, the soldiers evicted workers from the farm end of last month on October 27. Helpless workers and their families were driven off the farm on tractors driven by the gunmen. Some were dumped in bushes while others were abandoned along the Harare-Mutare road. Houses of management staff were crashed down leaving property trapped in side, said a displaced farm worker.

Karori farm resembled a war zone as sergeant Makono fired live bullets at fleeing defenseless workers and their dependence.

Soldiers looted workers households including cell phones, television sets, radios, blankets and clothes. They decided which items were to be taken along with the workers and what had to remain behind. We lost all our life time purchases to the soldiers, who told us to relocate with our employer Charles Lock, to England, said a worker who was beaten up by the soldiers.

Seven workers: Last John, Wunganai Mukamba, Kenny Mauyaswa, Shadreck Chacha, Victor Bakayawo, Taurai Kashata and Makiona Macheche, were savagely attacked by the soldiers. Edina Wilson was shot in the arm by a stray bullet.

The soldiers allegedly drained 200 litres of diesel from tractors and remained behind with four cattle. More than a hundred children have been thrown out of school and relocated at Dozmery farm with their parents.

Charles Lock has found temporary sanctuary for his workers at nearby Dozmery farm, while he pursues his legal battle for ownership of Karori farm. Brigadier Mujaji has defied several High Court and Supreme Court judgments to vacate the farm. Efforts by a Headlands Sheriff to drive Mujaji off the land have been in vain.

Donor organizations such as the International Red Cross and others have distributed blankets, food and other basic items to families camped at Dozmery as most of their belongings were looted by the army.