EU warns Mugabe

The European Union has warned that President Robert Mugabe's recent threat to kick out the remaining white farmers from their commercial farms could scupper business re-engagements efforts between the Zanu-PF government and the EU bloc.

This comes amidst fears by the Commercial Farmers' Union (CFU) that the country's agricultural production will be further compromised by a fresh wave of farm invasions.  

EU head of delegation to Zimbabwe, Philipe Van Damme said that Mugabe's remarks had sent wrong signals to both domestic and foreign investors and put a damper on government's economic revival plans.

Addressing guests at his belated 91st birthday celebrations in Victoria Falls last Saturday, Mugabe said government was planning to grab all farmland and safaris still under the control of white farmers throughout the country as it winds up the land reform programme.

Recently, the EU lifted the restrictions on most government officials, but retained Mugabe and his wife Grace on the sanctions list.

The EU envoy, however, warned Mugabe against being vindictive as that would chase away investors and harm the country's economic revival plans.

The CFU said fresh invasions would throw the country's already bleeding agriculture sector into worse turmoil.