Peasant farmers spread fires in Eastern Highlands- ZPP

Zimbabwe Peace Project has reported that some peasant farmers in the Eastern Highlands were reportedly spreading fire in the privately owned properties thereby destroying a lot of timber and property in the area.

ZPP said the incidents were part of the violence incidents which the organisation recorded during the month of November.

"Disturbing in this report are the ongoing fires at tree plantations in the Eastern Highlands. Some areas, where peasant farmers have infringed upon private property rights by resettling themselves on private land belonging to Border Timbers, Wattle Company, Mutare Board and Paper Mills and Allied Timbers, have seen extensive damage to property with invaders setting on fire more than 14 000 hectares of exotic trees' plantation. Affected plantations are in Chimanimani, Penhalonga, Chipinge and Nyanga," reported ZPP.

"Although representatives of the timber companies have reported to police and approached the courts on the invasions and fire incidences, other than some short term minor fine charges to offenders, long term recourse for the companies is yet to be effected. Meanwhile the losses continue on with the timber companies telling Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) that since October the fires occur daily."

ZPP stated that food discriminations along party lines continued in several parts of the country particularly in Mashonaland provinces and to a lesser extent in Matabeleland.

"By and large most violations recorded in the month of October include the Freedom of Assembly and Association; Freedom to Demonstrate, Freedom of Expression; equality and non-discrimination; as in the cases of people being beaten up for preferring certain candidates, certain parties and in the situation where people from other parties are denied food assistance and relief. Property rights were also violated, particularly in the case of the timber plantations in Manicaland," reported ZPP.