Desperate appeal to SA government over land attacks

Philip and Ellen Hapelt from Grasslands Farm in Somabhula have been fighting for several months to hold on to their property, which has caught the eye of MP Jabulani Mangena. Mangena has led a campaign of harassment, vandalism and violence against the Hapelts and their workers, claiming he has an offer letter entitling him to the property. Late last year, the Hapelts were brutally beaten by a gang of thugs, in an attack the family believes was meant to drive them from their farm.

The Hapelts many years ago voluntarily gave up the majority of their land for the sake of reform, under an agreement that would allow them to remain on their homestead with a small portion of farming land. They also have two Court orders that entitle them to live on the farm without fear of invasion or persecution. But Mangena is openly disregarding the Courts and has even threatened the Hapelts with more violence if they approach the courts again.

Philip Hapelt is a South African citizen and he and his family have made numerous appeals to the South African High Commission to intervene on their behalf. Hapelts daughter Lauren told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday that their pleas have been to no avail, explaining how the situation on her parents farm is worsening on a daily basis.

This is a terror campaign against my parents who are elderly, and time is really running out for them, Lauren said.

Lauren has written yet another letter to the High Commission in a desperate plea for assistance, but she said on Wednesday that the South African governments lack of action has been abysmal.

South Africa is in a strong position to bring pressure on the Zimbabwean government to stop this gangster like behaviour, Lauren said. It isnt an unreasonable request to ask them to protect their citizens and honour their obligations.

The South African government has come under fire for not intervening on behalf of its citizens, many of whom are facing a similar situation on farms across Zimbabwe. This includes Ian Ferguson whose game ranch near Beitbridge was illegally seized by land invaders said to be working for a top ZANU PF official. Fergusons game has been slaughtered and repeated pleas for help from his government have gone unanswered.

The invasions of the South African owned properties are also a violation of a bilateral investment protection agreement between the two countries, which Hapelts daughter Lauren said is hardly worth the paper it is written on. The latest agreement which was signed last year, but only ratified in May, has not been honoured by either the South African or Zimbabwean governments.

Kallie Kriel from the South African civil rights initiative AfriForum said on Wednesday that it is outrageous that his countrys government has not intervened. Kriel was speaking from Zimbabwe, where he has been on a fact finding mission speaking to South African farmers affected by land invasions. Kriel told SW Radio Africa that there has been absolutely no response to the pleas for help, which he said was a serious indictment on Zumas administration.

What we can see here is that the old bond between the ANC and ZANU PF still lingers, Kriel said. These past friendships are standing in the way of justice and it is unacceptable.