White farmers must fight or flee

THOUSANDS of white farmers in Zimbabwe had until midnight last night to decide whether to fight the government and risk jail or flee the lands they have worked for years.

The government targeted 95% of white-owned farms for seizure and redistribution to blacks. The 2,900 farmers under threat fear violent evictions if they stay in their homes.

But Vice President Joseph Msika’s presence yesterday at a Commercial Farmers Union meeting, which represents white landowners, allayed some fears, union officials said.

Top officials have ignored invitations to the union’s annual meeting in the past.

Mr Msika, who heads the government’s land reform taskforce, said Zimbabwe needs the farmers “experience, expertise and knowledge” to feed its people.

“There is room and space for everyone. We should cooperate and together succeed in our endeavours,” he said.

Zimbabwe faces a severe food crisis that will affect an estimated six million people by the end of the year.

The World Food Programme has blamed the hunger on erratic weather and the land seizure programme that has caused chaos in the nation’s farming industry.

But Mr Msika did not bow to calls for an extension of last night’s deadline.

Human rights groups accuse the government of using the land issue to mask President Robert Mugabe’s efforts to crush the nation’s opposition, which is strongly supported by white farmers.

The government promised to give seized farms to landless blacks but many tracts have gone to senior officials and military officers.