Online Reporter
Peter, Matika
A recent demonstration that erupted at a farm in Gumtree, Bulawayo, where farm workers protested against unpaid salaries and the unjust demand to vacate the premises, has uncovered a complex and troubling background story.
What was initially meant as a demonstration coverage saw this news crew unravelling a web around fear and intimidation that has even resulted in the unprecedented disappearance of the farm’s owners.
The workers have reportedly gone for six months without getting their salaries.
One worker, who has been employed at the farm since its inception, shared, “This farm belonged to the late Edward Simela, who passed away in August 2021. He was a senior member of the opposition party, MDC-T, and a respected community leader through his work with the Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA). Before joining the opposition, he was part of Zanu-PF.”
The worker explained that following Edward’s death, control of the farm passed to his grandson, Bekithemba Gadafi Simela, and Bekithemba’s wife, Priscilla Ndlovu.
“Even during Edward’s life, there were attempts by the government to repossess the farm, but the family resisted because they had all the necessary paperwork showing Edward bought the farm long before the land reform program in 2000,” he noted.
However, the situation has taken a turn for the worse. “Now, Bekithemba and Priscilla have seemingly been forced out of the farm; they just disappeared one day, and suddenly new people claiming to be the new owners have taken over,” the worker lamented. These new occupants have not paid the workers for months and are now pressuring them to leave the farm.
“I have worked for the Simelas for over 20 years. I know no other home; I raised my children here,” said the worker, his voice filled with emotion. “Not only do I now lack a livelihood, but I am also being evicted from the only place I’ve ever called home.”
Attempts to reach Bekithemba and Priscilla for clarification were unsuccessful. However, the news crew visited their family home in Pelandaba, where they spoke to Zandile Simela, Bekithemba’s sister.
“The couple has gone through hell regarding the ownership of the farm, and now they have disappeared under unclear circumstances, leaving me to care for their two children,” she revealed.
Zandile expressed her concern about the situation at the farm, stating, “We know who has taken over the farm, but we can’t do much because that person controls everything. Edward understood what was happening, and as a politician, he knew how to handle it while he was alive. It’s unfortunate for my brother, who is not a politician and has just inherited the farm. The torture and suffering my brother faces are not new to us; the police, who should protect us, are the same people who come here to harass us.”
She added, “With the couple gone, we don’t feel safe at our home in Pelandaba. We constantly look over our shoulders, fearing for our safety.”
“What worries us even more is that there is a gravesite on the farm where Edward is buried along with some of our family members. With this takeover, we can’t access our heritage.”
A neighbour of the family in Pelandaba also revealed that harassment began before Edward’s death.
The neighbour reported that the attacks began even before Edward’s death.
“Former colleagues of Edward in Zanu-PF constantly targeted them, insisting he should relinquish ownership of the Gumtree farm, claiming he benefited from the land reform program in 2000,” the neighbour explained.
“The couple’s lives, Bekithemba and Priscilla, have turned upside down. The attacks have even escalated to physical violence.”
Efforts to obtain a comment from the purported new owners of the farm proved fruitless, as they were frequently unavailable.
As the situation unfolds, uncertainty looms for both the Simela family and the workers who depend on the farm for their livelihoods.
The community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that honors Edward Simela’s legacy and protects the rights of those who have called the farm home for years.
In Zimbabwe, land repossession often emerges as a contentious issue, especially concerning individuals who have distanced themselves from the ruling party, Zanu PF.
In recent years, reports have surfaced about the government reclaiming land from those perceived as having fallen out of favor or who have left the party.
This practice raises significant concerns regarding property rights, political motivations, and the stability of agricultural production in the country.
Bongani Ndlovu