17 March 2011
Mr Hapelt was alone in the farm house on Thursday around 1 pm, when Mr Mangena arrived with a gang of about fifteen youths. He was also accompanied by a man believed to be a Mr Sibanda who was very militant, aggressive and confrontational. In addition to these men, Mr Hapelt was confronted by a delegation purporting to be from the Ministry of Lands. The delegation consisted of a Policeman from Gweru and a lady, Susan, from the Gweru Lands office. They claimed to have an eviction notice from the Ministry of Lands.
For several hours Mr Hapelt was forced to lock himself in the farm house while the youth rampaged around the perimeter fence. The youth appeared to be intoxicated and menacing and were kicking and lashing out at Mr Hapelts dogs, through the fence. In the presence of the Police officer, Mr Mangena and his accomplices threatened Mr Hapelt and his workers who were forced to sit down and were told they were not allowed to work.
Mr Mangena informed Mr Hapelt he would arrive at the farm on Friday to forcefully remove him and his cattle from the farm. He also stated that should his men decide to get violent, “he would look the other way”. Mr Hapelt was confused as to how he could be evicted by Mr Mangena before his court case which is to be heard in April. Mr Mangena said the document he had superceded any Court document and he would be back to carry out his threats to evict the Hapelts the next day, Friday. He left a document signed by Mr Joseph Shoko of the Lands Committee saying Mangena owned the farm. The document was a poor photocopy with Mr Syd Shaws name crossed out and Mr Hapelts name hand written over this.
Mr Hapelt is frail and unwell. On her return from Gweru, Mrs Hapelt found her husband had collapsed after the confrontation with Mr Mangena, and had to be confined to bed.
The Hapelts daughter, Mrs Nixon, heard about the incident and fearing for her father’s safety, phoned the South African Embassy asking them to intervene and help resolve the situation. She spoke to Gary Smith of the SA Embassy who was very sympathetic but did not seem to think the situation was that serious or that Mr Mangena would return the next day. He stressed that Mr Mangena had no right to do this as the issue was to be presented in the Gweru Magistrates on 1st April.
Friday 18th March
On Friday morning, as promised, Mr Mangena and his gang of youth arrived back at Grasslands Farm and once again besieged the farm house. Mr Mangena said he had given the Hapelts plenty of time to move and he would no longer wait for them. The youth again appeared to be intoxicated and again started rampaging around the security fence of the house.
Mrs Hapelt was in Gweru when she heard of the situation at Grasslands.
She went to Gweru Rural police station where the police were dismissive and refused to help her. The front office maintained Mr Nemo, officer in charge was away however, Mrs Hapelt found him in his office. The police eventually went to Grasslands farm but returned to Gweru saying they could not do anything to assist her.
Despite the volatile situation, brave neighbours of the Hapelts arrived to try and help. When Mr Hapelt went to open the gate for them, the drunken mob attacked and tried to enter the security fence. Mr Hapelts hand was injured in the scuffle but he managed to get the gates closed again.
When Mrs Nixon was made aware of the situation she again made several calls to the South African embassy to ask them to try and help. She managed to speak to the Ambassador who was unfortunately in a conference so could not help. She also spoke to Mr Simmins and Mr Smith who again were sympathetic and said they would brief the Ambassador of the situation.
The Mob surrounding the farm had become more aggressive and threatened to cut the fence and begin evicting Mr Hapelt. When Mrs Hapelt realized that the police were not going to assist she returned to the farm fearing for the safety of her husband and her neighbours. Mr Mangena said unless the Hapelts instantly agreed to start leaving the farm he would begin the eviction immediately. With the help of their neighbours, the Hapelts had to negotiate with Mr Mangena to defuse the situation. Under duress and fearing for their safety, they agreed to agree to start vacating the farm.
Mr Mangena has insisted that the Hapelts attend a meeting on Friday 25th March at the Lands office in Gweru. He warned them that if they did not show up for the meeting the consequences of their actions would be dire. The Hapelts are not sure why they have to attend this meeting but they are fearful of what may happen if they do not attend.
Mr Mangena forced the Hapelts to cancel a social gathering which had been planned for Saturday lunch. He said he would only allow family to visit them and the Hapelts were not to have other people visiting. He also indicated that he wanted them to pay him rent and pay for grazing for three years.
Mr and Mrs Hapelt have spent the weekend packing up and moving their possessions from the farm house. Mr Hapelt has moved his cattle on to the Heeltap farm which adjoins Grasslands Farm. Mr Mangenas cattle are also currently grazing on this farm as there is no fence demarcating the boundaries of the two farms.
Post published in: News