Armed Zanu-Pf youth occupy and loot Excelsior farm, refuse police entry
Monday, 16 June 2003 12:51 PM
On Sunday the 15th of June in the afternoon, a group of CIO officers in a black Pajero lead a group of 150 Border Gezi Zanu-Pf youth to occupy Excelsior farm in Ruwa on the command of Robert Mugabe. Excelsior farm is currently leased by Roy Bennett MP.
The farm labourers who work on Excelsior farm have fled at the approach of the youth, in fear of a repeat of the violent and extreme beating they received in March by Zanu-PF operatives again led by CIO officers.
The CIO operatives were armed with handguns and an AK47, with which they threatened to kill anyone who worked for Bennett. They were driving a black new model Pajero with tinted windows.
The youth have almost completely looted the farm. They have killed one of Mr Bennett’s cattle, three of his sheep, looted everything from the workshop including 2000 litres of diesel, and have stolen 53 bags of maize. Trucks have been coming and going from the farm with stolen goods all yesterday and today. There are also reports that they have stolen farm machinery.
They have broken in to the farm manager’s house, and have stolen $183,000 in cash and looted all his possessions.
Many of the youth are armed weapons, including at least four guns, including a shotgun stolen from the gun safe on the farm.
Mr Bennett immediately informed Epworth police station, who stated that they were unable to act as it was ‘political’. Finally the Asst Inspector Mupazaraio, accompanied MR Bennett’s security Manager, Sgt Dube to the farm. When they arrived late last night, they were refused entry by the youth. When they returned again this morning, they were refused entry by youth armed with guns, lead by Zanu-PF activist and commander for the area who goes for the name of ‘Baiyso’. Baiyso stated that ‘We are operating on President Mugabe’s orders that Bennett must have nothing, so we are taking everything’ You police have no jurisdiction because we are under Presidential orders.
For more information or an interview with Mr Bennett, please call the office of Roy Bennett on 04748240 or 04748241
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