Published by the government of Zimbabwe
11 July 2008
Harare — A Harare lawyer on Wednesday accused some white commercial farmers of falsely and maliciously accusing senior Government and Zanu-PF officials of violence to bolster their case currently before the Sadc Tribunal in Namibia.
Mr Gerald Mlotshwa of Antonio and Mlotshwa law firm accused Mr Richard Thomas Etheredge of Stockdale Farm in Chegutu of maliciously accusing outgoing Senate President Cde Edna Madzongwe of fanning violence in farm disturbances that occurred at the white farmer's premises recently.
White commercial farmers, led by Mr Mike Campbell and 77 others, are seeking to stop the compulsory acquisition of their farms for resettlement at the Sadc Tribunal in Windhoek, Namibia.
Mr Mlotshwa said police had acted swiftly by arresting perpetrators of the disturbances, which were purely criminal and had no link with Cde Madzongwe.
The lawyer said this before High Court judge Justice Anne-Mary Gowora, who was hearing an application by Mr Etheredge seeking an interdict against Cde Madzongwe from allegedly interfering with his operations.
Justice Gowora reserved judgment in the case.
Mr Mlotshwa said Cde Madzongwe was nowhere near the disturbances and police arrested the perpetrators while those who were still on the run were known.
He said the veteran politician had complied with an earlier court interdict restraining her from entering the farm pending the resolution of the farm dispute.
"The citing of second respondent (Cde Madzongwe) is not necessary; it is malicious and disrespectful of this honourable court. The court action is meant to further their cause and interest in the Sadc case pending in Namibia," said Mr Mlotshwa.
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