We received a report from Chiredzi that a police chief has invaded a cane farm, owned by commercial farmers Digby and Jess Nesbitt, and is living in their farmhouse, alongside the owners, with his family and about 15 members of the youth militia. The property has been home to the Nesbitts for more than 20 years.

Digby said that Assistant Police Inspector Veterai moved in with his cronies despite a restraining court order banning him from doing so until a hearing of the case, scheduled for March 10th.

This situation has gone on for about 4 weeks now while the local police ignore pleas by the Nesbitts to enforce the court order. The Nesbitts are challenging their eviction and Digby said he had already given up two other ranches they owned because he believed that he should try to cooperate with the government and its 'land reform programme.' This left him with a farm of about 120 hectares of land.

But some months ago Veterai produced an eviction letter saying he could take part of the farm. Late last month he produced another letter which said he could seize the entire property. Digby said at this point he spoke to the Governor of Masvingo province and was told that Veterai's eviction letters had been obtained fraudulently. This encouraged him to take the matter to court, where he received the restraining order which is being ignored by the police inspector.

On the first day at the house, Veterai pulled a gun and threatened to shoot their dogs. When Jess cried, he pointed the gun at her. He then threw a loud party that lasted for two days and there was lots of beer and people going in and out of the house. The police inspector is also fond of sitting at the Nesbitts dining room table, with a whole array of guns laid out before him.

Asked why he has chosen to stay under such threatening conditions, Digby said: "It's the principle of it. What they are doing is contrary to what every government minister and official I have spoken to has said. Every one of them has said this is wrong and it should not happen."

The disregard for the rule of law by top officials in Zimbabwe is nothing new, especially on the commercial farms. Top military, police, government and intelligence officials have been evicting white farmers illegally, with impunity.

The victims have failed to get any justice in Zimbabwe. As we reported, this is why another farmer in the same area has taken his case to the SADC Tribunal in Namibia. It is hoped that the farmer will get justice there when the case is heard next month. Only time will tell, as the case will be the regional court's first ever.