BULAWAYO - Following the eviction of most white commercial farmers from their farms, Zanu (PF) supporters and war veterans in Umguza farming area in Matabeleland North province are now allegedly harassing hardworking new black farmers. (Pictured: Hardworking
In most cases the successful farmers are being accused of not participating in Zanu (PF) party activities and being sponsored by the former white commercial farmers. Brighton Ncube and Tapiwa Tsoroti, some of the new farmers running
flourishing horticultural projects in Umguza, said they are disturbed by this latest development.
Ncube said the local Zanu (PF) political leadership in the area visited him at his homestead last week and demanded to know why he and his workers were not attending Zanu (PF) campaign meetings addressed by the local Member of Parliament, Obert Mpofu.
“Last week Zanu (PF) officials led by Samuel Ncube, a war veteran visited my home. They said all the people who got land through the land reform programme are supposed to support Zanu (PF). Ncube and his group also demanded to know
where I was getting money and threatened to take over my farm if I failED to support Zanu (PF)” said Ncube, a former bank manager.
Tsoroti, who specializes in green house farming, has also been harassed by the Zanu (PF) supporters. “We have serious problems with Zanu (PF) youths and war veterans here. They are after us. They are not happy with our progress in the farms. Imagine I spend US$ 5000 on my green house construction for flowers and tomatoes and then someone comes and just threatens to grab my farm,” he said.
Former ZIPRA commander, Andrew Ndlovu who also owns a flourishing farm in the area said Zanu (PF) supporters had also threatened to repossess his farm for interacting with the few remaining white commercial farmers in the area. “We are working very well with the remaining white commercial. We assist each other in a lot of areas. Zanu (PF) supporters want us to treat white people as enemies” he said.
Post published in: News