Salon - - The news from Zimbabwe - Page 19

Sam · #**271** 09-16-2002, 10:38 PM

This'll make your jaw drop ... it did mine!

The woman who came round last month to look at her plot was back yesterday. And for the first time we discovered who she is. She is Monika Chinamasa, the wife of the Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa.

She has demanded the keys of our tenant's house (our tenant vacated the house only a few days ago), which Peter was obliged to give her (she had a letter from government to say the property was now hers) so now she's our new neighbour.

An interesting and rather unwelcome development

DJ Dubovsky · #**272** 09-16-2002, 10:49 PM

Guess that death threat wasn't as effective as you had hoped. Is this the wife of the same minister that was supposed to come and didn't show up that day? So how much of your land did they just STEAL from you?
DJ

Sam · #**273** 09-16-2002, 10:56 PM

What death threat, DJ? The only person who's had one of those lately was our tenant ...

Yes, that was the guy who didn't pitch that day. Incidentally, earlier this year Patrick Chinamasa was charged with contempt of court, but instead of going to jail for 3 months, he had the relevant judge arrested!!

And he is (or was) the Justice Minister. What a joke.

She's taken about 250 acres at this stage. But there's no doubt in my mind as to what will happen next.

DJ Dubovsky · #**274** 09-16-2002, 11:05 PM

I'm getting my cast of characters confused here Sam. I think I got it straight now though.

Yeah, I would expect that they will take the whole damn place. So do you still think you will be able to hold out until the first of the year? It's not sounding very good at all. Lucky it's a democracy there hey? Or you'd really be in trouble. Sorry Sam, I'm being facetious here.

Some day they will reap what they've sown and I can't wait to see that day. Unfortunately that day may not come soon enough.
DJ

G. Couch · #**275** 09-16-2002, 11:06 PM

Guess there will not be any good neighborly house warming parties...sounds like the time to go is fast approaching.

Sam · #**276** 09-16-2002, 11:11 PM

Sorry, DJ ... I think I must have confused you somewhere!! The person I refer to as our "tenant" is white, a tobacco grower, and has been living on this farm for the last four years!

Any other, less welcome, inhabitants, I refer to as settlers, warvets, or other names not repeatable in polite circles!!!

Greg - funny you should mention the house-warming party ... apparently Monika wants to have me round for tea!! Wonder how one should behave in such circumstances.

G. Couch · #**277** 09-16-2002, 11:17 PM

She wants you to come over for tea!? That's rather arrogant over her! The question is- Do you go and make her happy or decline and run the risk of angering her?

Sam · #**278** 09-16-2002, 11:26 PM

I think it's safer all round if I politely decline - what do you think?

The laugh is that she thinks that's perfectly OK. You steal a farm one day, and invite your victim to tea the next. Excuse me?

Ed_L · #**279** 09-17-2002, 12:41 PM

Wow Sam! Sorry to hear the latest news about your place. I think it would be very difficult to attend a tea, and remain in control of your feelings. I hope you're strongly considering getting out soon.

Ed

winwintoo · #**280** 09-17-2002, 12:56 PM

Hi Sam, I just wanted you to know that even though I don't post to this thread, I follow it with interest and you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Margaret

DJ Dubovsky · #**281** 09-17-2002, 10:36 PM

Boy that would be too tempting if it were me to spike that tea as she sits there smiling smuggly. Unbelievable gall in these people.
DJ

Sam · #**282** 09-18-2002, 12:20 AM

I have to confess the idea did cross my mind. I must have a look in the horse first aid kit and see what I can find ... a good strong laxative should do the trick

One of these days, I will get round to some ... what's that thing I used to do? ... oh yes, photo restoration!

Sam

G. Couch · #**283** 09-18-2002, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sam
I must have a look in the horse first aid kit and see what I can find ... a good strong laxative should do the trick

Yeah...a good strong horse laxative should about do her in for good!

Sam · #**284** 09-18-2002, 03:12 AM

Oh well, at least we made the news!

Here's the link if you're interested.

(I see I got the acreage wrong ... one has to look on the web to find out what's happening on one's own farm!!)

Sam

CJ Swartz · #**285** 09-18-2002, 10:25 AM

Sam, further down the page in that newspaper, it states:

Tuesday, 17 September, 2002, 15:00 GMT 16:00 UK
Zimbabwe land laws to be tightened

"...Amendments published in the government gazette on Friday will make it easier for the government to seize land by cutting the time for farmers to vacate farms and increasing fines for defying eviction orders.

The ruling Zanu-PF party has a majority in parliament and the Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, has said normal parliamentary procedures will be suspended to enable debate, according to the French news agency AFP. "

That eviction notice may be coming soon.