News / National
Evicted villagers want Chihuri to be arrested
12 Jan 2015 at 21:16hrs | Views
Villagers evicted from an estate near Grace Mugabe's farm in Mazowe have taken the matter to court.
They are attempting to stop the evictions and the demolition of homes.
The case was due to be heard on Monday.
The evicted villagers are also seeking the arrest of two ministers and a police commissioner for contempt of court.
The three did not show up at Sunday's court hearing which comes at a time when Grace and President Robert Mugabe are on holiday in the Far East.
It's reported that heavily armed police have chased villagers from Manzou Estate in the Mazowe area.
So far 150 families have been forcibly moved, to pave the way for a game park.
This is despite a court order, to move them only when alternative accommodation has been found.
Grace was given her farm in the same area in 2003 after it was forcibly taken from a white farmer.
She has established an orphanage, a school and a dairy there.
The Mugabes are said to own multiple farms, Contrary to the policy of the ruling Zanu-PF party which stipulates one person one farm.
The villagers say officials used them at the time to justify seizing the farm.
The chaotic farm invasions in 2000 are now blamed for Zimbabwe's perennial food shortages.
At the weekend party officials defended the first lady.
They described Grace Mugabe as a "kind-hearted, considerate and magnanimous human being".
They claimed the decision to move the villagers was made by government because the land is not suitable for humans.
The evictions have sparked a national outcry.
The opposition and rights defenders have described the evictions as unconstitutional.
They are attempting to stop the evictions and the demolition of homes.
The case was due to be heard on Monday.
The evicted villagers are also seeking the arrest of two ministers and a police commissioner for contempt of court.
The three did not show up at Sunday's court hearing which comes at a time when Grace and President Robert Mugabe are on holiday in the Far East.
It's reported that heavily armed police have chased villagers from Manzou Estate in the Mazowe area.
So far 150 families have been forcibly moved, to pave the way for a game park.
This is despite a court order, to move them only when alternative accommodation has been found.
Grace was given her farm in the same area in 2003 after it was forcibly taken from a white farmer.
She has established an orphanage, a school and a dairy there.
The Mugabes are said to own multiple farms, Contrary to the policy of the ruling Zanu-PF party which stipulates one person one farm.
The villagers say officials used them at the time to justify seizing the farm.
The chaotic farm invasions in 2000 are now blamed for Zimbabwe's perennial food shortages.
At the weekend party officials defended the first lady.
They described Grace Mugabe as a "kind-hearted, considerate and magnanimous human being".
They claimed the decision to move the villagers was made by government because the land is not suitable for humans.
The evictions have sparked a national outcry.
The opposition and rights defenders have described the evictions as unconstitutional.
Source - eNCA
