Dabengwa farm invaders retreat

Politics
THE Zanu PF supporters who invaded Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa’s farm in Nyamandlovu deserted the property on Friday, but it is unclear if the retreat is permanent.

THE Zanu PF supporters who invaded Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa’s farm in Nyamandlovu deserted the property on Friday, but it is unclear if the retreat is permanent.

Invaders at Dumiso Dabengwa’s farm last week
Invaders at Dumiso Dabengwa’s farm last week

NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER

A group of people claiming to be members of the ruling party descended on Dabengwa’s Ruby Farm almost a fortnight ago and began chopping down trees.

The invaders had vowed to stay put at the farm claiming it was too big for the former Zipra intelligence supremo.

But Dabengwa told Southern Eye yesterday that the settlers had not been seen at the farm since Friday.

The former Home Affairs minister had on Thursday vowed to fight back to repossess the farm he says he bought using his own savings.

“They did not come on Saturday and today (Sunday) and we don’t know whether this might be because they are at church since it is a weekend,” Dabengwa said.

“We also do not know whether they will come back after the holidays.

“My position still stands; I will seek the intervention of the courts if they ever come back to the farm.”

Dabengwa had said the invasion was organised to persecute him for opposing Zanu PF.

He said the fact the settlers were led by people from outside the region it meant they were implementing the 1979 secret Zanu PF “grand plan” seeking to marginalise the people of Matabeleland.

However, Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo distanced the party from the settlers saying land belonged to every Zimbabwean regardless of their race, tribe or creed.

The invaders have also been parceling out the Bulawayo City Council-owned Mazwi Nature Reserve which they invaded last month.

Zanu PF provincial leaders have failed to rein in the lawless group that is reportedly using government vehicles for its errands.

The government has in the past insisted that fresh farm invasions would no longer be allowed.