Slight change in police attitude

Although it bemoaned the continued refusal by some police officers to respect court rulings in favour of white farmers, the union was hopeful that last months mini-Cabinet reshuffle that saw a change of personnel at the Home Affairs Ministry would bring a bit more success to its efforts to stop ongoing farm invasions.

There does appear to be a slight change in the attitude of the police but sadly this is rather too late in a number of cases, the CFU said, adding Our prayers are that we may have a bit more success once the Cabinet reshuffle has been effected.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last month reshuffled government ministers from his MDC-T party in a move he said was meant to make the former opposition more effective in delivering change to Zimbabweans.

Tsvangirai and his MDC-T are in a coalition government with President Robert Mugabes Zanu (PF) party. The reshuffle saw former Public Works Minister Theresa Makone replacing Giles Mutsekwa as co-Minister of Home Affairs.

Mutsekwa, who had come under sharp criticism for allegedly failing to control the police force which falls under the home affairs ministry, was redeployed to another portfolio.

Police chief Augustine Chihuri allegedly refused to take orders from Mutsekwa, telling the former home affairs minister that he only gets instructions from Mugabe and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.

Tomana has led a campaign to prosecute white farmers refusing to vacate their properties to make way for Mugabes supporters.

Together with Chihuri, Tomana has allegedly ordered the police to ignore any court orders granted to the farmers prohibiting evictions.

The change in police attitude also comes a few weeks after the CFU reported that it had submitted a report to Tsvangirai last month detailing ongoing farm violations.