The state media this week had reports in which Sibanda claimed white farmers
hoped for a victory by the MDC, and had returned to the land they were
evicted from and ordered resettled farmers to leave. Other reports said that
the MDC planned to give back the farms back to whites when the party comes
into power. This was strongly denied by opposition officials.Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa visited several farms on the outskirts of Harare on Saturday. He said many of the so-called “A2 farmers”
given plots by government as part of the chaotic land reform programme, said
it was very quiet and peaceful on their farms. They had not seen any white
farmers return to threaten them as alleged by Sibanda.
One of the A2s went further to say that the government has often used them
for political gain without actually helping them to improve their lives. He
gave the example of the ‘Farm Mechanisation Programme’ that was initiated by
government, saying it intended to redevelop agriculture. Most of the farm
equipment and implements that were distributed as part of that scheme went
to local government and ruling party officials.
Our correspondent said the A2 farmers were quite aware that these reports of
threats against them by white farmers were meant to give the war veterans an
excuse to harass and intimidate opposition supporters and officials.ZANU-PF has been using the government controlled media outlets to their advantage during the electoral period. Opposition parties have never received equal time on the radio and television broadcasts.
Communal farmers in areas surrounding the capital have dismissed comments by
war vet leader Jabulani Sibanda, suggesting that black farmers that were
resettled by the government were being threatened by white farmers who had
returned to their properties.
The state media this week had reports in which Sibanda claimed white farmers
hoped for a victory by the MDC, and had returned to the land they were
evicted from and ordered resettled farmers to leave. Other reports said that
the MDC planned to give back the farms back to whites when the party comes
into power. This was strongly denied by opposition officials.
Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa visited several farms on the
outskirts of Harare on Saturday. He said many of the so-called “A2 farmers”
given plots by government as part of the chaotic land reform programme, said
it was very quiet and peaceful on their farms. They had not seen any white
farmers return to threaten them as alleged by Sibanda.
One of the A2s went further to say that the government has often used them
for political gain without actually helping them to improve their lives. He
gave the example of the ‘Farm Mechanisation Programme’ that was initiated by
government, saying it intended to redevelop agriculture. Most of the farm
equipment and implements that were distributed as part of that scheme went
to local government and ruling party officials.
Our correspondent said the A2 farmers were quite aware that these reports of
threats against them by white farmers were meant to give the war veterans an
excuse to harass and intimidate opposition supporters and officials.
ZANU-PF has been using the government controlled media outlets to their
advantage during the electoral period. Opposition parties have never
received equal time on the radio and television broadcasts.
Communal farmers in areas surrounding the capital have dismissed comments by
war vet leader Jabulani Sibanda, suggesting that black farmers that were
resettled by the government were being threatened by white farmers who had
returned to their properties.
The state media this week had reports in which Sibanda claimed white farmers
hoped for a victory by the MDC, and had returned to the land they were
evicted from and ordered resettled farmers to leave. Other reports said that
the MDC planned to give back the farms back to whites when the party comes
into power. This was strongly denied by opposition officials.
Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa visited several farms on the
outskirts of Harare on Saturday. He said many of the so-called “A2 farmers”
given plots by government as part of the chaotic land reform programme, said
it was very quiet and peaceful on their farms. They had not seen any white
farmers return to threaten them as alleged by Sibanda.
One of the A2s went further to say that the government has often used them
for political gain without actually helping them to improve their lives. He
gave the example of the ‘Farm Mechanisation Programme’ that was initiated by
government, saying it intended to redevelop agriculture. Most of the farm
equipment and implements that were distributed as part of that scheme went
to local government and ruling party officials.
Our correspondent said the A2 farmers were quite aware that these reports of
threats against them by white farmers were meant to give the war veterans an
excuse to harass and intimidate opposition supporters and officials.
ZANU-PF has been using the government controlled media outlets to their
advantage during the electoral period. Opposition parties have never
received equal time on the radio and television broadcasts.