White farmers held in Zimbabwe

Thousands of white-owned farms have been invaded

The Zimbabwean police say about 20 white farmers who are in jail will be charged with public violence and assault.

The news comes as hospital sources in Harare report the death of a white farmer who was critically injured when suspected pro-government militants attacked him with an axe at his farm in Kwekwe on Friday.

His death brings to nine the number of white farmers killed in land invasion incidents. Two black people, a policeman and a settler, have also been killed.

The farmers who are facing charges were arrested after a fight broke out between them and a group of militant government supporters who were occupying a farm.

Police in the town of Chinhoyi, 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the capital Harare, have used citizens' band radio to advise white people to stay away after several were beaten up by gangs of militants.

A group of white farmers had apparently gone to protect a friend after about 50 militant government supporters invaded his land and attempted to break into his house.

At least two of the farmers were hurt during the subsequent fight. One is reported to be suffering from broken ribs.

Friends of the white farmers told the BBC that the Zimbabwean police did not arrest any of the militants involved.

Supporters of the Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, have forcibly occupied thousands of white-owned farms during the past 18 months.

President Mugabe has said the occupations are a spontaneous expression of anger at the unequal distribution of fertile land between the black majority and the tiny white minority.

But his critics, both at home and abroad, accuse him of using the land issue to bolster his support at a time of worsening economic crisis.

Eight farmers have been killed and many farm workers injured during the violence.

Another white farmer, Ralph Corbett, is seriously ill after being attacked last Friday.

According to the Associated Press, the farmer's daughter said doctors gave him only a 5% chance of recovery after he was attacked with an axe.