Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

ROHR Newsfeed – 8th May 2009  

Dear friends 

As the wheels of injustice and violation of people’s property rights at the farms escalate at the tacit encouragement of the Government, ROHR Zimbabwe names and shames the following ‘new farmers’ at GATUMBA FARM, BINDURA . 

TUMAI PHIRI, ZANU PF Ward Chairman
KENNEDY MAKOMO
EDWARD URIRI
MR CHARI    

As of today, six families are homeless and living in the open without any protection from the cold of winter. In any crisis, it is said, the children and women are the first causalities, and this case highlights the magnitude of humanitarian disaster that is being created by ZANU PF supporters at the Government’s approval. 

On 3 May Paradzai Charumo, Luxious Madzviti, Kazembe Chezamu, Samuel Nakurimu, Mavhura Sakaike, Antonio Savieri were forced out of their homes together with their families, including children. Their properties ware thrown out as well and to this day, they are grappling with the harsh weather conditions caused by winter and the rain. 

The victims were farm labourers living in the compound houses built by the previous white owner. They allege that the reason why they are being evicted from the compound cottages is that the perpetrators, who are the committee appointed by the settlers in the farm, are too lazy to build decent houses since they live in mud houses with no electricity and piped water. According to the victims, the new farm settlers want to enjoy the decent houses occupied by the former farm laborers since they generally consider themselves new owners of the farm. 

Inspector Chibande, Member in Charge for Bindura rural police station refused to take the report from the six victims. He said the police are not taking cases of political violence now and then later claimed that this was employer, employee dispute so his department will not be involved. 

Two of the people affected are ROHR members. As a human rights organization, ROHR is currently liaising with local lawyers seeking a court interdict to reverse the unlawful eviction. The ZANU PF chairman’s actions are unacceptable and must be stopped, as this behavior sets a very bad precedence of violence in the area. This is one of the many cases of farm violations being reported from farms in the Mashonaland Central Province.

For more information,
contact Thomas Madhuku
Information and Communications Intern