'Aliens' invade Beitbridge game farm

A game ranch in Zimbabwe's Beitbridge district on the border with South Africa has been invaded by militants believed to be supporters of the Zanu-PF party of President Robert Mugabe, with the reported backing of Matabeleland South Angeline Masuku and Minister of State Security Kembo Mohadi, sources said.

Ian Ferguson says despite the courts declaring the invasion of Denlynian Game Ranch illegal, a Beitbridge lands officer identified as Mtulisa Moyo continued to parcel out plots.

Ferguson said the reserve was not fit for human habitation or rearing of livestock and the government declared it had no interest in the property.

This had not deterred Moyo from allocating plots while the police were reluctant to act. Most of those allocated the plots are from other provinces.

The invaders have been issued with High Court ejectment orders but refuse to leave the property as they have been told only the police can evict them.

Ian Ferguson, a white Zimbabwean who owns the Denlynian Game Ranch with his South African children, said the invaders have evicted all of his employees and sealed off the ranch. Ferguson said they threatened to kill anyone who resisted their orders to leave the property.

"The invaders are causing havoc as they have started looting at the ranch and threatening to kill workers or anyone not willing to co-operate," Ferguson said.