Germany protest illegal farm grab

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...

By MIKE MAKOMO

Published: October 7, 2009

HARARE – The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany has written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding that the grab of white farmer Charles Lock’s farm by Brigadier Mujaji stops, The Zimbabwe Telegraph has obtained confidential correspondence.

The German embassy warned that the grab of the property, Karori farm was illegal as the property was protected under government-to-government investment treaties.

“The Embassy wishes to express its dismay, and strongly protests against the criminal behaviour of Brigadier Mujaji,” said the letter, dated September 29. “It expects the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all authorities concerned to take immediate action to restore law and order at Mr Lock’s premises, and to ensure full compliance with the Republic of Zimbabwe’s obligations under international law.”

Mujaji is trying to seize the property, which is protected a German-Zimbabwean Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement. As of late, assets at the farm have been unlawfully acquired by Brigadier Mujaji, a senior member of the Zimbabwean armed forces.

The Brigadier is currently occupying Karori Farm, property of Lock, and considerably indebted to the besieged German investor.

Having been continuously harassed by the Brigadier and the men under his command for several months, Lock, on September 24, obtained a High Court order, not withstanding an appeal, to remove his crops and equipment from Karori farm. The value of his belongings exceeds US$1,5 million.

He arrived the morning after with the Messenger of Court and was given three police officers by the officer commanding disctrict, or Dispol in police parlance.

The court order specified that the police were to ensure that the order was enacted. Upon arriving at the farm the Messenger attempted to serve the papers on the soldiers under Brigadier Mujaji.
But the furious soldiers warned that they had been instructed by Mujaji to shoot any one who attempted to take anything off the farm.

The two lorries Lock had sent to his farm to collect his produce returned to Harare with nothing. Lock returned to the Dispol in Rusape, and the Messenger requested more police officers to enforce the order.

The Dispol told the Messenger to take his order back to Harare as the police would not support it. That message was conveyed in Lock’s presence to Superintendant Mahla by Assistant Commissioner Crime Khumalo at Police General Headquarters, PGHQ. He had to turn back without obtaining a result, and the Messenger filed his return papers citing gross contempt of court by the soldiers and police.

brigaier Mujaji has systematically stipped assets at the farm despite the High Court orders. On September 27, Brigadier Mujaji and his soldiers stole diesel from the farm. Using Lock’s tractors, they then evicted all the senior staff from the farm and drove off all the workers who were trying to guard the maize and tobacco that Lock had harvested. The workers were dumped at Halfway House. Lock’s cattle have been driven off the farm.

“According to the latest information this Embassy has received, the Brigadier has stolen over 300 tons of maize,” said the letter to Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, “and 150 tons of tobacco, and all the farm equipment inspite of High Court Orders issued by Judge Patel. Mr Lock is not even allowed in his home as the soldiers have threatened to shoot him.”

The letter has been copied to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, minister of Finance Tendai Biti, minister of Planning and Investment, minister for Lands and minister of State for Agriculture.