SW Radio Africa (London)
Tererai Karimakwenda
6 December 2007
A group of Mauritian nationals who are farming in the Chiredzi sugar area say illegal evictions have intensified and they have not received any help from their officials, even though there are bilateral agreements between their government and Zimbabwe.
High ranking government and police officials in Chiredzi are ignoring court orders not to interfere with farming operations.
There are currently 63 farm title deeds held by Mauritian nationals in Zimbabwe. There were 40 Mauritian families growing cane in Chiredzi in 2002. Only 4 remain and they are living in constant fear due to harassment. The farmers say they have been repeatedly promised assistance from the Mauritius Government since 2002 and that the bilateral agreement would be upheld. But no action has been taken.
In desperation they have written to Mauritian Foreign Minister Dulloo informing him of recent developments. Their letter said in part: "When can we hope that Mauritius will take a strong stance in protecting the investments of its citizens in SADC countries?" The letter also said the farmers are now considering bringing a compensation claim before the new SADC tribunal. But their appeal for assistance in bringing the claim has met with silence.
John Worsley Worswick of Justice For Agriculture said Mauritius is not the only country whose bilateral agreements with Zimbabwe are being ignored. He said the Austrian, German and Swiss governments also have bilateral agreements that Zimbabwe has not honoured. Worswick said many of the farmers are considering bringing their cases to European courts, as a group of Dutch farmers have already done.
Worswick said the SADC tribunal was an untried and untested venue. The first case that this new court is facing is that of Zimbabwean farmer Michael Campbell. He expressed concern because the dates for this hearing have been postponed twice, under suspicious circumstances. Worswick believes SADC officials want to delay the case until the EU/Africa summit in Portugal is over.
Among the Mauritian farmers that were evicted recently is Eric Wiehe of Rio Farm. On Sunday he was visited by the District Administrator and a senior ranking police officer who brought a 'rent-a-crowd' to evict his manager and tenants. This is despite the fact that Wiehe is in possession of a High Court order blocking any attempted acquisition by government. A negotiated option was agreed on delaying the eviction until the following day. Friends in the farming community helped pack and move as much property as possible. Wiehe is being 'allowed' to finish harvesting the 5 hectares of cane he has left, but the settlers are keeping his tractor.
Also over the weekend, Henri Souchon of Esperance Farm and his family were harassed by settlers on his property who said they were angry that he had sold his personal compressor. They claimed that it belonged to the state. Souchon is also in possession of a High Court order in his favour and was supposed to leave at the end of December. Fearing for the safety of his young family he moved them into Chiredzi town on Tuesday.
Jean-Paul de Robillard was evicted in November and the remaining 50ha claimed by new settlers. He was managing the farm on behalf of the sons of Philippe Tennant, who was murdered in April 2006.
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