By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|Newly elected Zanu PF chairman and staunch Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa apologist , Ezra Chadzamira has invaded one of the last few farms owned by a white commercial farmer with the help of the uniformed forces.
 
Chadzamira who was elevated to the top post in the province to beef up the Mnangagwa camp, took over Crest Ibeka Farm, 10 km outside Masvingo owned by Yvonne Goddard(68) ,with the help of soldiers and ZRP cops. Chadzamira is also the MP for Masvingo West Constituency.
 
The farm, situated along the Mashava-Masvingo highway is the hub of cattle breeding in the province and the local community. At least 106 villagers were benefiting from the cattle breeding programme at the farm.
 
Villagers in the area attempted to resist Chadzamira’s move but he called for reinforcement from the police and the army who moved in to beat up the villagers as the hapless Goddard watched in tears.                                       Sources in the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement reveal that Chadzamira, who owns two other farms in Mwenezi demanded an eviction notice from the ministry and ordered Goddard out of the farm.
 
Andrew Mahlekete, a local villager in charge of the heifer project at the farm said at least 100 villagers were benefiting from the cattle breeding programme and they have since written a letter to the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Douglas Mombeshora to appeal for help on behalf of Goddard.
 
“Since 12 February 2014 we started the livestock improvement programme to benefit 106 villagers from Heathcote Farm, Idhlala Farm and Ibheka Farm, the withdrawal of the offer will greatly affect the planned long term project ,” read part of the letter of appeal written to Mombeshora.
Several employees are set to lose their jobs following the latest farm invasion. The violent land grab exercise popularly called the third Chimurenga ,has displaced nearly 4000 commercial farmers but ecomomists blame the chaotic programme for grossly affecting agricultural production thereby leading to the current economic abyss.