Squatter leader in contempt of court
19 April 2000
Squatter leader in contempt of court
By FWi staff
THE leader of Zimbabwes war veterans has been found in contempt of court for inciting illegal occupations of white-owned farms.
Zimbabwes High Court found Chenjerai Hunzvi in “clear and wilful contempt” for disobeying a court order last month, reports BBC Online.
He was given a 5 May deadline to instruct his followers to end their illegal occupation of white-owned farms or face imprisonment.
White farmers leaders and war veterans have gone straight from the High Court to president Robert Mugabes residence for crisis talks.
On Tuesday (18 April), white farmer Martin Olds was shot dead after being trapped on his farm, near Zimbabwes second city of Bulawayo.
Two white farmers and several opposition activists have been killed in recent violence.
Hours after the murder of Mr Olds, Mr Mugabe used a speech to mark the 20th anniversary of Zimbabwes independence to describe white farmers as “enemies” of the state.
He said their resistance to land redistribution was the last vestige of British colonialism in Zimbabwe.
Some white farmers, fearing for their safety, have fled their farms with their families.
It is now reported that bandits are roaming around the main road leading out the capital Harare, making it too dangerous for local traffic.
Hundreds of white-owned farms have been invaded by squatters in the last two months.
- White Zimbabwe farmer killed, FWi, 17 April, 2000
- Zimbabwe court backs white farmers, FWi, 13 April, 2000
- Squatters fire on Zimbabwe farm, FWi, 12 April, 2000
- Zimbabwe rules out action on squatters, FWi, 11 April, 2000