Published by the government of Zimbabwe
25 July 2008
Harare — WHITE commercial farmers say they did not fake injuries during the hearing of the land case at the Sadc Tribunal in Namibia in a bid to attract sympathy from the judges.
One of the farmers, Ben Freeth, appeared in court in a wheel chair with a bandaged head, prompting resettled farmers to denounce the conduct as a ploy to demonise Zanu-PF and the Government to create basis for more sanctions to be imposed on Zimbabwe.
The commercial farmers' lawyer Mr David Drury of Gollop and Blank yesterday produced medical reports showing Freeth was attended to following injuries he alleged were inflicted when he was attacked at his farm.
He said the fact that Freeth was using a wheelchair did not mean he had been crippled or could not walk but needed the wheelchair because he was still to recover fully.
The farmers are claiming that they were beaten up by Zanu-PF supporters but lawyers representing the Zimbabwean Government and the resettled farmers argued during the tribunal hearing in Windhoek that the people who were arrested in connection with the disturbances on the farms were not ruling party supporters or connected to Government in any way but purely criminals.
Deputy Attorney General Advocate Prince Machaya told the tribunal that the arrested suspects were awaiting prosecution.
He said the police, army and others should have an opportunity to place evidence with a view to answering the allegations raised.
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