SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
8 July 2009
The commercial farming community has been left reeling after the violent murder of a Midlands Province farm leader this week.
Bob Vaughan-Evans, a respected conservationist and agriculturalist, was attacked along with his wife in their Gweru home late Tuesday, by an intruder wielding an axe. Bob died as a result of serious head wounds, while his wife Jean, who had just turned 80 years old, has remained in a coma after being viciously assaulted. The elderly couple has faced three similar attacks in the last three months, with the last attack leaving Jean wheelchair bound.
The President of the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) Trevor Gifford, expressed his shock and anger to SW Radio Africa on Wednesday, describing Bob as a 'devoted', 'respected', and 'much admired' man. Bob was a member of the CFU for almost thirty years after leaving a respected government position after the country's independence.
"Bob was just about to retire and its just so tragic he didn't even get a chance to enjoy his retirement," Gifford said.
Gifford dismissed the possibility that the attacks could be related to the surge in land related violence, which have formed part of the renewed campaign to remove the remaining commercial farmers from their land. He explained that the attack on the Vaughan-Evans' is becoming a regular occurrence in Gweru, where other elderly couples have been targeted in recent months. Gifford expressed his anger over the situation, saying the elderly are 'weak targets' for thugs and criminals in Zimbabwe, where Gifford argued: "There is absolutely no rule of law."
"It is just so regrettable that people in Zimbabwe are resorting to this level, either to make a living or make money," Gifford said.
The targeting of the elderly is a worrying occurrence in Zimbabwe, where respect for the aged has always been a cultural norm. But the incident clearly depicts what has been described as a total breakdown of culture and law in the country during Robert Mugabe's iron fisted rule - a breakdown that has continued, despite the formation of the unity government.
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