Zimbabwe police said on Sunday they had arrested at least 133 white farmers for defying orders to vacate their farms under President Robert Mugabe’s controversial land reform program.
”The exercise is ongoing. Police are following up cases. Arrests will be made today wherever there are farmers who were supposed to vacate,” said police representative Andrew Phiri.
By late Saturday, 92 of the farmers were still technically under arrest and waiting for court appearances, according to the farm lobby, Justice for Agriculture (JAG).
Many of them were in police custody, although a handful had won release for medical reasons pending court appearances, JAG said in a statement.
In some regions, farmers received hearings at special courts set up for the purpose. Normally, Zimbabwean courts do not sit over the weekends.
About 2 900 farmers had been under notice to vacate their homes by August 8 or face up to two years in prison and a fine.
Supporters of Mugabe’s ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic front (Zanu-PF) party and veterans began occupying white farms in 2000 sparking an international outcry.
That campaign has been heavily tied to political violence targeting the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which Mugabe blames whites for funding.
At least 59 people have been killed in political violence since the start of the year, while thousands more have suffered torture, rape and intimidation, according to rights groups.
The vast majority of the victims are black MDC members, rights groups say. – Sapa-AFP