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Violations of rule of law continue - BIPPA protected Zim ranch
Commercial Farmers' Union Zimbabwe
April 16, 2010

Arthur Ferguson, a horticulturalist on Benfer Citrus Estate, was arrested at his home on Wednesday evening and is being held in a filthy cell at the Beitbridge police station, rural section.

The citrus estate is owned by Arthur's father, Ian Ferguson, who also built up the nearby Denlynian Game Ranch in Zimbabwe's dry Beitbridge area into a prized tourism destination.

Arthur has been managing Denlynian in his father's absence while he is recovering from surgery in South Africa.

Since the owners are South African citizens, both properties are protected by a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement signed by South Africa and Zimbabwe on November 27.

Despite having no grounds for the arrest, Sergeant Mbaiwa refused requests by Ferguson's lawyer, Mr Tchakalisa, and the Public Prosecutor to release him.

According to the Public Prosecutor, there were no instructions to arrest or detain anyone and the police were only to serve a summons.

However, the papers were so chaotic that he felt he could not handle the case and said it should be referred to the Provincial Magistrate's Court in Gwanda. A provisional date of May 5 has been set.

Speaking from South Africa, Ian said that Sergeant Mbaiwa has been threatening the family for more than a year and has become exceptionally provocative and vitriolic.

Ian said his son was deeply concerned because he had been arrested in front of his three young children - the youngest is just four years old, and they had been severely traumatised. His wife was in Bulawayo on business at the time.

The chief game guard on Denlynian Game Ranch was forced by invaders to leave the ranch and take refuge on the Ferguson's nearby citrus estate, managed by Arthur.

A truck later arrived at the ranch and the occupants began stealing items of value from the lodge. They told the game guard they would be moving in today (Friday).

Arthur's lawyer confirms that the invasion is totally illegal and, by their own admission, was assisted by the police using Zanu PF vehicles.

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