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.