Zimbabwe steps up farmer arrests

Mugabe says land reform is "irreversible"

Zimbabwean police say they have arrested at least 147 white farmers for defying orders to leave their farms under President Robert Mugabe's controversial land reform programme.

	Zimbabwe's land reform 1890-1980: Black peasants are moved to less fertile areas during the colonial era 2000: 4,000 whites own 70% of prime land March 2000: "War veterans" occupy white-owned farms 2000-2002: Several white farmers and black workers are killed during violence 9 August 2002: 3,000 white farmers must leave their homes Guide to Zimbabwe's land question

"We have made arrests in almost every province and we will continue with the exercise until everybody has been accounted for," a police spokesman said in remarks broadcast on state television.

The farm group Justice for Agriculture (Jag) said, by late Sunday, 35 farmers had appeared in court and been granted bail and 96 were still technically under arrest and awaiting court appearances.

Others had been arrested and released after agreeing to sign caution statements.

A spokeswoman for the group said: "Farmers are not defying the government, but rather orders they believe to be illegal."

About 2,900 of the country's remaining 4,500 white farmers were ordered by the government to vacate their homes by 8 August or face up to two years in prison and a fine.

Mr Mugabe, who has been in power since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980, says his land reform policy aims to correct colonial injustice which left most of the best farmland in the hands of white farmers.

But foreign donors say the land reform programme has contributed to Zimbabwe's food crisis. Up to half of the population - six million people - needs food aid this year, aid agencies say.

'Farmer assaulted'

Since March 2000, many white-owned farms have been occupied by government supporters.

Eleven white farmers have been killed, along with an unknown number of their black workers.

Diary of a white farmer

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The disruption to farming has dramatically cut production of the staple food, maize, and Zimbabwe's major export - tobacco.

The Jag group says police and war veterans assaulted a white farmer during his arrest on Saturday, a month after he had left his farm in compliance with a government eviction notice.

The same day also saw the 11 Pacific members of the Commonwealth call for stronger action against Zimbabwe, but stop short of threatening to expel the country.