MONDAY, 1.00PM:
ZIMBABWEAN president Robert Mugabe announced on Saturday he will not allow the courts to judge his decision to reclaim white-owned farms. Speaking at a political rally for his ruling party Zanu (PF), Mugabe announced that the move to confiscate nearly 1 500 farms is a “political issue” and not a matter for the courts. There is little legal recourse for farmers whose lands have been earmarked for redistribution by Mugabe’s government.
Mugabe maintains the confiscation is justified because the land was initially stolen from black Zimbabweans by white colonialists a century ago. “It was not a matter for the courts to decide when our ancestors lost their land to white settlers, but where were the courts at that time? Why didn’t they intervene?” Mugabe asked.
Criticised for his move by the international media, Mugabe warned the foreign press to end the “negative coverage”. After the conference – which no foreign journalists were allowed to attend – Mugabe addresed the media. “We are bringing a stop to colonialism,” he said. “So go back to your homes and tell your people we are taking the land back.