/ 19 September 2000

SQUATTERS EVICTED IN ZIMBABWE

ZIMBABWE police have expelled hundreds of squatters occupying five white-owned farms and destroyed some of their makeshift huts, notably near Harare. Apart from a few brief scuffles with squatters on one of the farms, the expulsion operation was uneventful. Chenjerai Hitler Hunzvi, leader of Zimbabwe’s war veterans who have led a campaign to occupy white farms for redistribution to landless blacks since February, said he was ”shocked” that the police had expelled the landless people in such an ”inhumane” manner. ”It is unfortunate and unbelievable. It is now loud and clear that these police officers are loyal to MDC and should all be fired. I also think that the responsible minister should answer all the questions pertaining to this issue but I am disappointed,” Hunzvi said. – AFP