THE TRUTH ABOUT ZIMBABWE
CHARLES ANDERSON, FARMER, IS MURDERED

CHARLES ANDERSON, FARMER, IS MURDERED

CHARLES Anderson (early 40's), a farm manager, was shot and killed at noon today by unknown assailants. The family had returned from a visit to Mrs Cindy Anderson's parents farm next door and had only been away for an hour. They were in the company of their two children, aged 13 and 10. One of the children is said to have received a minor injury perpetrated by one of the four intruders.

The farm, Dunmaglas of Norfolk Estate, is 378 hectares in extent and is in the Glendale/ Mazowe farming area of Mashonaland Central.

The family disembarked from their vehicle to go into their home, when Anderson noticed the locks had been tampered with. The door into the house was open and there was evidence of looting.

Anderson is said to have been shot in a narrow passage, and a neighbour said judging by the extent of the injury he was shot in the head at close range. Anderson is a keen hunter and was armed with a licensed rifle; it is thought that he fired a shot into the air to scare away the intruders, as a rifle round is evident in the wall. A medical doctor has been on site and confirmed the death of Mr Anderson.

His wife is said to have heard four shots and then hastened to investigate, She was accosted by two people who threatened to kill her. They are said to have told her to lie down and cooperate. They then stole a red Nissan 2,7 pick up to use as a get away vehicle.

A security team sweeping the area came upon this vehicle along the Chiweshe communal area road where it had been involved in an accident. It is not clear if the occupants were then apprehended.

The farm is under a compulsory notice of acquisition, Section 8 and is under the Model A2 scheme. Anderson is said to have reached an amicable agreement with the new owner, Permanent Secretary for Lands and Agriculture, Mr Ngoni Masoka over ongoing farming operations. A Government advertisement of 3rd February 2002 clearly indicates that Masoka is the successful beneficiary.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police had not yet arrived at the farmhouse by 3 pm although they had been informed of the incident.

This brings to 12 the number of farmers whose lives have been lost due to criminal activities on farms since the invasions began in February 2000. Updates will be made available as information is received from the area.

(Source CFU Zimbabwe)