Police round up war veterans at white-owned farm

Zimbabwean police rounded up scores of war veterans and illegal settlers at the weekend after the burning down of labourers’ homes at a white-owned farm east of the capital, AFP said on Monday. “There were some disturbances at Chipesa farm resulting in part of the compound being burnt. After screening we are now holding only six people,” a senior police officer was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, the independent ‘The Daily News’ said 52 war veterans were arrested on Saturday after clashes with farm workers in Marondera district, 80 km east of Harare.

Reports said that trouble started when the farm owner, Ian Kay, who had been brutally assaulted by war veterans who had occupied his property in April, returned to resume farming operations two weeks ago. The occupiers, who claimed ownership of the farm, were angered by Kay’s homecoming and allegedly accused the workers of having facilitated it by their refusal to vacate the farm during their employer’s absence.