ABOUT 100 suspected Zanu PF activists clad in party regalia yesterday invaded CAPS Holdings owner Frederick Mutanda’s farm in Mutorashanga. Report by Kupakwashe Makonye, Own Correspondent
Mutanda is a former top aide to the late Vice-President and Zapu leader Joshua Nkomo. Mutanda confirmed the invasion of his Ravie Farm and said the invaders had barred him from entering the property.
When a NewsDay crew visited the farm in the afternoon, the invaders, who were wearing Zanu PF T-shirts bearing portraits of Zanu PF secretary for lands Ignatius Chombo and President Robert Mugabe, were still camped at the property. The invaders, however, claimed they were only visiting the farm.
“I heard that Zanu PF ordered the district chairman and his deputy to make sure I vacate the farm or else they would harm me,” said Mutanda in a telephone interview from Harare.
“The police informally warned me that these people would cause havoc if I did not vacate the farm. They said they had no authority to stop them as it was an order from their bosses. If you ask Chombo I think he knows who is behind this. This cannot happen without the consent of a senior politburo member. They want me to go into exile and want to see my business falter,” he said.
“Zanu PF provincial chairman John Mafa presented my farm for invasion by Zanu PF thugs and I don’t know why they are tormenting me. If you phone Mafa, he might be able to tell you.”
Mafa and Chombo could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print last night.
In a related development, suspected Zanu PF activitists reportedly invaded Mwenezana Estates in Mwenezi on Monday. Circumstances on the issue were sketchy at the time of going to print.
