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Farm
workers bear the brunt of invasions
General
Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ)
April 01, 2009
http://www.citizenjournalismafrica.org/node/1406
The General
Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ) notes
with concern the rising incidents of farm disturbances across the
country.
The disturbances,
which have seen many farm workers being kicked out of their homes,
are a complete disregard of the farm workers rights to continue
living at a farm when new employers take over.
More so, these
incidents, in which farm workers and their families face unjustified
harassment, are also an infringement of the basic human rights as
enshrined in the Zimbabwean
Constitution and the United Nations Charter.
GAPWUZ can record that over 1 500 families have been affected by
the current disturbances with many of them being evicted from their
homes and others losing employment at the farms, which is their
source of income.
The evictions have had
a snowball effect on the livelihood of these families many of which
have no other home except the farm villages.
The children
of the affected families are failing to go to school, the sick cannot
access medical help and a considerable number has lost their hard
earned property.
We therefore
call upon the government to quickly put measures that will ensure
the discontinuation of these chaotic farm takeovers and possibly
pave way for a smooth transition between farmers. A smooth transition
will, with no doubt, ensure respect for the farm workers rights.
We also urge
the government through the Labour and Land Ministries to quickly
formulate a worker friendly policy that will guide outgoing and
incoming farmers during the process of changing hands. Let us all
remember that for Zimbabwe to be the breadbasket of Africa; it all
comes from the hard work of the farm labourer, who with his bare
hands can provide for the nation. So, harassing the labourer will
surely not augur well for our economy.
Mash
West (Chegutu District)
| Name
of Farm |
Invader |
No
of workers |
| New March |
War vet
Chigwada |
100 |
| Twyford
|
Jamaya |
200 |
| Etheredge |
E. Madzongwe |
400 |
| Windram |
C.I.O. |
40 |
| Mazowe
Citrus |
MP Zinyemba,
Mr Kunaka |
400 |
| K.B Estate |
War Vet |
300 |
| Dodhill |
War Vet |
200 |
| T. I Beattie
|
Masiiwa
RBZ employee |
200 |
| Downs |
Chasauka
ZPF |
60 |
Masvingo
| Name
of Farm |
Invader |
No
of workers |
| Quarter
Perk/ta Swart Fontein |
Major Mudavanhu |
12 served
with an eviction order |
| Bolland
|
Governer
Chiwewe |
20 |
In extreme cases,
some employers are resorting to corporal punishment to discipline
farm workers who are accused of allegations ranging from theft,
sexual harassment, absenteeism and late arrival at work.
Gross
human violation
The following officers
and workers are among others who have been beaten threatened, intimidated
during the course of their duties.
1. Gertrude Hambira
2. Juliet Sithole
3. Shungu Mateesanwa
4. Joyce Muwoni
5. Mavis Satiya
6. Rixon Qoma
7. Edward Dzeka
8. Samson Sithole
9. Luck Ringoziva
10. David Mutambirwa
11. Denzel Zharare
12. James Nyowani
13. Simon Gubha
14. Tapiwa Zivira
15. Canaan Mutambe
Visit the GAPWUZ
fact
sheet
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