CADD condemns violence on farms

EDITOR — The Centre for the Advancement of Dialogue and Democracy (CADD) condemns in strongest terms the endless violent and racial attacks on white commercial farmers remaining in Zimbabwe. The organisation has been terribly shocked by the fatal attack on Catherine and Malcolm Francis in Guruve on May 14. This has rekindled memories of mass slaughter by thugs that left hundreds of commercial farmers homeless and farmless even though some of them were born in Zimbabwe.

The attack on Catherine and Malcolm in Guruve is a clear sign of political instability in Zimbabwe that should now be collectively tackled. President Robert Mugabe should come clean by ordering the immediate arrest of political thugs currently on the farms.The violence on white commercial farms will have a negative effect on Foreign Direct Investment and economic growth. The violent murder of Catherine and Malcom is clear testimony of President Mugabe’s lack of commitment to the restoration of the rule of law.

A country with the rule of law, democracy and human rights is expected to respect property rights to allow reconstruction and healing to take place without any hurdles. We are calling on the international community to take punitive measures against violent political parties and their leaders.

Information and Advocacy Department, CADD