Stray cattle destroy maize

after cattle belonging to a commercial farmer strayed into his field.
Mr Luke Gumbere, a beneficiary of the land reform programme, was allocated 79 hectares at Bonaccord Farm in Ndanga.
He has reportedly clashed several times with Mr Robert Cunningham, who used to own the land.
On Wednesday night, 52 cattle belonging to Mr Cunningham allegedly strayed into Mr Gumbere’s farm and destroyed his maize crop, which was about to mature.
When The Herald visited Bonaccord Farm, Mr Gumbere’s workers were trying to evaluate the exact value of the damage.
Farm manager Mr Lloyd Mukodyo accused Mr Cunningham of sabotage and trying to fix his boss.
“This is not the first time that this white farmer has allowed his cattle to stray into our land.
“This year alone his cattle have strayed onto this land three times and to us this is pure sabotage.
“We believe that the bottom line is that he doesn’t want to co-exist with us.
“Even if some of our workers trespass into Cunnningham’s area they will be severely assaulted,” charged Mr Mukodyo.
He alleged Mr Cunningham had vowed to “fix” his boss for attending the launch of the National Anti-Sanctions Campaign Petition in Harare last Wednesday.
President Mugabe launched the campaign.
Mr Cunningham denied there was a political agenda behind the destruction of the maize crop and said he would compensate Mr Gumbere for his losses.
“I accept that my cattle strayed into his plot and destroyed his crops. It’s common for cattle to stray into other people’s fields and I accept that it was my fault.
“There is no big deal,” said Mr Cunningham.
He added: “I will give him back his maize once our workers complete a joint assessment of the damage.”
Mr Gumbere said he had tried several times to meet Mr Cunningham so that they can begin to co-exist peacefully but had been rebuffed.
Mr Cunningham hit back saying he saw no reason to allow Mr Gumbere into his house.
“Yes, I have told him not to get into my house, why would he want to get into my house?
“I have never tried to go to his house, what does he want from my house?
“After all I will never go to his house.”