| A Report on Post Election Violence August 07, 2000 |
||
Contents « Part 2 Part 4 » Part 3 « Part 3 index « Prev report Next report » Scared Glendale farmers close down operationsDaily News 21 July, 2000 The president of the CFU, Tim Henwood, said yesterday the harassment of commercial farmers and their workers had continued, despite Vice-President Joseph Msika’s statement on Saturday that the war veterans would be resettled. On Saturday Msika launched the accelerated land reform programme . . . Henwood said: "Following that statement, the CFU believed that a way had been found to take the land issue forward. We were encouraged by the Vice-President’s statement that the illegal invasions of farms by war veterans and their supporters would be brought to an end. Sadly this has not been the case." Henwood said there was trouble on the farms and in Glendale a farmer and his family were forced to leave their farm by a group of hostile invaders. The invaders, who occupied the homestead on Monday evening, remained camped on the front lawn. On Monday night the CFU informed the police that the situation was untenable but nothing was done. "Because of this, the farmers’ association have taken the decision to close down, believing that it is no longer possible to guarantee the safety of farmers or their workers. All farms in the area have complied with this decision," he said. Henwood said that there were many farmers’ associations areas in the country where the threat to life by war veterans remained intense and was escalating. As a result of the "dangerous situation"’ the CFU could not guarantee the safety of its members or their workers. "The lack of proper police protection and intervention, coupled with continuing invasions and threats, means that there is a strong possibility that other farming areas may take similar measures to protect their lives." TOP |