Grant Paterson of Roslin Farm in Beatrice should have left his farm by midnight local time (2200 GMT) on February 5, 2007 or face a fine or imprisonment. Paterson defied the eviction order, and was dragged to court last Friday, charged with contravening Section 3 (2) of the Gazzetted Lands (Consequential Provisions) Act.
Lands and Rural Resettlement minister Herbert Murerwa testified in court Monday that he had advised the farmer to continue staying on the farm because it was still undergoing re-planning, and could share the property with new farmers resettled under the land grab.
Magistrate Archie Wochiunga ruled that the state could not seize the farm.
The government has in the past refused to enforce previous court orders. It remains to be seen if the ruling will change the situation on the ground. The government has warned that those who defy the eviction will be arrested, and farmers could face fines and up to two years in prison.
But many farmers like Paterson have adopted a more defiant tone.
Post published in: News