Africa News
Grace denies being behind evictions─── 07:37 Sun, 11 Jan 2015
Harare - The Zimbabwe government has denied First Lady Grace Mugabe was behind the demolition of homes and the eviction of villagers to make way for a wildlife sanctuary North of the capital Harare.
The Herald quotes Martin Dinha, a cabinet minister in charge of Mashonaland Central province where the occupied farm is situated, as saying that Manzou farm had been designated a national monument in memory of Ambuya Nehanda, a prophetess and leading figure in the 1896 rebellion against white colonial rule, who lived in the area.
On Wednesday armed police burnt down homes and evicted villagers from Manzou Farm in Mazowe district, near to where the First Lady owns a dairy farm, and runs an orphanage and a school.
Human rights lawyers are suing the government for violating a court order obtained last year to prevent the eviction of the villagers until alternative land has been found.
Sapa
