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Zimbabwe claims farmersâ tractors
Zimbabwe has introduced rules which allow it to seize equipment from white farmers thrown off their land. The government had accused those who lost their land of deliberately sabotaging or hiding their equipment to frustrate the government. A white farmersâ organisation spokesman said many displaced farmers stored their equipment or sold it to survive. A presidential decree allows the ministry of agriculture and its officers to enter any land or premises to find out if there is any farm equipment or materials not being used for agricultural purposes. The decree also said that owners who sold, damaged or immobilised their machinery face an equivalent fine or up to two years imprisonment.John Worsely-Worswick of the agricultural farmersâ organisation said: "It is suddenly a crime to have a piece of equipment you cannot use because you have been forced off your farm." Although the government said compensation could be claimed for all property handed over, Mr Worsely-Worswick said owners of such equipment were sceptical because the government had yet to compensate for seized land. He said the notice violated constitutional rights of ownership. "This is daylight robbery. It is vindictive and intimidatory. Mugabe is keen we give up altogether and pack and go," he said. Lawyers for the Commercial Farmers Union which represents some white farmers were studying the decree. The often violent farm seizures, and unpredictable rains, have been blamed for damaging Zimbabweâs agricultural-based economy. This has led to inflation, unemployment and acute shortages of food and essential goods in Zimbabwe. Posted by: Dan Darling 2003-12-19 |
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