Mauritian Farmer Besieged By Political Thugs in His Farm in Zimbabwe

The intimidation of those who are perceived to have voted or helped the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) during the recent elections in Zimbabwe is already taking place.

The Mauritius Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Pravin Newoor, who spoke to journalists on Saturday at his office in the capital Port Louis, indicated that the Rosalie Estate in the region of Greenvalley in Zimbabwe which belongs to a Mauritian citizen has been besieged by supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party since last Thursday.

Newoor said the owner of the farm, Pierre Guimbeau and his young son Mark, have barricaded themselves inside to avoid being aggressed by the crowd which was surrounded their house.

Newoor added that Gimbeau’s wife, Liz who managed to reach the Zimbabwean capital Harare telephoned relatives in Mauritius to ask for the intervention of the Mauritian government. She informed relatives that a mob of around 50 so-called A2 farmers and extremely excited youths had stormed into the yard of the farm and accused her husband of having sold milk and meat to supporters of the MDC during the elections. The excited youths have cut the electricity supply on the farm and have ransacked the cold storage. They have now settled down in the shed near the main house, Liz said.

Newoor indicated that immediately as he received the news on Friday morning, he made contact with the Mauritian ambassador to South Africa, Prem Dossa who is also accredited to Harare. Dossa has contacted his Zimbabwean counterpart who has promised to contact Harare for further information on the fate of the two Mauritians.

Newoor revealed that the Mauritian minister of Regional Administration, James Burty David who left the island on Friday for Lusaka, the Zambian capital at the head of a delegation to attend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting on Zimbabwe has been appraised of the situation.

The Prime Minister, Dr Navin Chandra Ramgoolam has asked David to intercede in favor of the Mauritian farmers with the Zimbabwean ministers and officials if ever they attend the meeting in Zambia.

Newoor disclosed that all attempts by his office to contact Pierre Gimbeau by phone have up to now been unsuccessful, but that he was in constant contact with Ambassador Dossa and Minister David.

Source African Press Agency

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