Scores More Farms Occupied in Zimbabwe

Mobs and ruling party militants have occupied scores more white-owned farms in Zimbabwe, and squatters on other land are preventing white farmers from preparing to plant wheat, farmers’ representatives said Friday.

The Commercial Farmers’ Union said black squatters occupied 32 more white-owned farms Wednesday and an additional 10 on Thursday in a growing campaign of intimidation. By Friday, the armed squatters were camped on nearly 760 farms and had staked claims to 1,190, according to the union, which represents many white farmers here.

President Robert Mugabe--facing his biggest challenge at the polls since leading the nation to independence from Britain in 1980--has been accused of staging the farm occupations to intimidate white farmers and other opposition supporters in advance of parliamentary elections.

The Zimbabwe Independent, a respected financial weekly, reported Friday that government troops in civilian clothes have led some military-style farm occupations and have given squatters weapons and money.

In Tengwe, northwest of Harare, squatters prevented three farmers from preparing to plant winter wheat, the union said.

The disruptions on the farms will result in a 40% drop in wheat production, the Zimbabwe Cereal Growers Assn. said. The shortfall will mean bread shortages and price increases, said Peter Wells, a spokesman for the cereal growers.

In Harare, the capital, the High Court on Friday postponed the contempt of court sentencing of Chenjerai Hunzvi, the leader of a war veterans group that has led many of the often-violent farm occupations. The farmers’ union asked for a postponement until May 19, saying it needs more time to check whether Hunzvi is obeying a court order to persuade followers to peacefully vacate occupied farms.