Mugabe says white farmers must go

Zimbabwe's white farmers were on Monday issued with a stern warning from President Robert Mugabe to abide by last week's deadline to leave their land or face the consequences. In a speech honouring those who fought in the 1970s liberation war against the white-minority government, Mugabe said the government would not grant the farmers a reprieve. "That deadline stands, as it is our wish that everyone interested in farming should be on the land by the time the rains come," Mugabe said. Zimbabwe's rainy season usually starts in November or December. Most white farmers targeted under the controversial Section 8 Land Acquisition Act had until last Thursday to leave their properties or face a fine of US $375 or two years in jail, or both. But the majority of farmers remained on their properties, waiting to see if the government would enforce the order. "We had hoped that the president's speech would provide farmers with some kind of reprieve, but it has become quite clear that there is no room for compromise. "There is apparently no consideration for the human rights of farmers and workers on those farms," Jenni Williams, spokeswoman for lobby group Justice for Agriculture (JAG), told IRIN on Monday. JAG is encouraging farmers to seek legal advice on the evictions. Williams added that while the situation remained tense on farms throughout the country, the organisation was encouraged as there had been no reports of violence nor police action against farmers since the deadline had passed. "Perhaps the government's inaction up until now is an olive branch to farmers. If this is the case, it is heartening, but it is still too soon to tell. For now, however, we remain on tenterhooks," she said. The evictions come as close to six million Zimbabweans face a severe food crisis. The government's fast track land redistribution programme and a severe drought have been blamed for the poor agricultural output that led to the current food shortages. Mugabe's government maintains that land reform is meant to redress colonial era imbalances in land ownership.