A letter, dated 19 November 2005, about a farmer in Zimbabwe
Dear Sebastiano,

This afternoon I returned from our dear friend’s farm with 1.4 tonnes of fuel and food loaded between the Toyota and the trailer.

I went to see her also to express my solidarity following the intimidations she underwent last Tuesday and this morning.

This morning, two cars full of police, accompanied by the Head Magistrate of Chinhoyi came to impose a suspension on agricultural work, which is now in full production; thereby forcing the workers to leave the fields. On Tuesday, the son of our friend intervened in cold blood and reminded them that they have official permission to cultivate which comes from the President.

Nonetheless the same people returned to intimidate once again this morning. Note that this farm is the only farm which still produces alimentary goods and goods for exportation (tobacco) to the west of Chinhoyi.

Naturally I assured our friend that she would have all the help that is possible for me to give including possible asylum for those people and things which may be thrown out in only a few hours as is the custom with these “gentlemen”.

I expressed my concern for her physical safety as well as that of her son, who is the Chairman of Farmers and all too often travels alone. The family comprises of her son, his wife and their four children.

For them it would be the destruction of a life lived with dignity and industriousness, them as well as their parents before them.

It is a great loss for the community in terms of social help (400 workers and families will be left penniless) and agricultural production (of which a good half is regularly picked up by the hungry of Alaska, Shackleton and Murereka who at least have the justification of hunger). For our projects it is a big setback in terms of availability of fuel and food products. A setback which will be difficult to bridge.

If our friend should be thrown out on the streets, it would be a good thing to use her honest professionalism and great social sensitivity in our projects.

I ask you to remember our dear friends in these times of suffering and of persecution.
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