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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 19-09-2002

PART #4/4 - From SOUTH AFRICA to  ZIMBABWE

* South Africa. Row clouds Biko anniversary — 12 September: «They had to kill him to prolong the life of apartheid,» Nelson Mandela has said of Steve Biko. Biko, a leader of the black consciousness movement in South Africa, died of major head injuries in South African police custody 25 years ago on 12 September 1977. His contribution to the black fight for freedom from apartheid is often placed as second only to that of former President Nelson Mandela. Steve Biko was never a member of the ANC and was active politically in the late 1960s and 1970s when the ANC was banned. At the time young black activists moved away from the ANC‘s stress on non-racial ideology towards one that emphasised black empowerment and consciousness. The arguments today in South Africa are about whether the ANC has taken on board his ideas and become an heir to his struggle for black rights or whether it is just appropriating his name when it suits them. ANC supporters and those who claim to be the heirs of black consciousness argue over whether he would have joined the ANC had he lived and whether he would have supported the policies of the ANC government. In a tribute to him, Nelson Mandela wrote that just before his death, Steve Biko was arranging a secret meeting with ANC leaders and was killed to prevent him joining forces with them. But the Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo), who still profess his black consciousness views, accuse the ANC of appropriating and corrupting his legacy. «Biko was not a neutral, apolitical and mythical  icon that today he is scandalously made out to be in order to legitimise a black majority government that is weak,», Azapo said. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 12 September 2002)

* South Africa. Black and white unite against steel giant — Poor black and white communities in Vanderbijlpark, south-west of Johannesburg, have joined hands in a struggle against Africa’s largest steel producer, Iscor. Residents of Steel Valley claim that for the last 40 years, the industrial giant has polluted their water, degraded their environment and brought sickness and suffering to their families. The communities are now embarking on a new course of action as 16 families take the company to court to demand compensation for their suffering. Iscor (the Iron and Steel Corporation of South Africa), started out as a state agency, a creation of the white minority apartheid regime and was privatised in 1994 with the advent of democracy in South Africa. Today the company ranks as the biggest producer of flat steel products in Africa. Last year, it boasted operating profits of more than 820 million rand ($77.5m), with the Vanderbijlpark plant producing more than 2.7 million tons of steel. A High Court ruling obtained by Iscor earlier this year prevents the company and the applicants in the court case from talking directly to the media about the situation. However Samson Mokoena, chairman of the Steel Valley Crisis Committee and spokesperson for the residents revealed why they were taking action. «We believe we’ve been fighting for sustainable development for more than 40 years. Most people have lost their properties here, they’ve lost their animals. We’ve been fighting and fighting and to us it’s a continuous thing,» he said. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 12 September 2002)

* South Africa. Church leaders have much to contribute to African unity — «Promoting church and ecumenical leadership is an essential part of reconstructing Africa. African leaders themselves recognise that the unity of the Churches is an essential part of the search for African unity», says World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Dr. Konrad Raiser. The planners of a pan-African conference called «Journey of Hope in Africa Continued», are in full agreement. Nearly 100 church educators, church and ecumenical leaders from over 25 countries, will be meeting in Johannesburg 16-23 September for a «critical evaluation of theological education and ecumenical formation». This is the first pan-African conference of its kind. (WCC, 12 September 2002)

* South Africa. Land reform — South Africa plans to redistribute about 30 percent of land currently owned by white commercial farmers by 2015 and will expropriate farms where necessary, a financial daily reported on 15 September. The Business Report quoted land affairs director general  Gilingwe Mayende as saying the government would not apply the willing-seller, willing-buyer concept in its drive to address the problem of landlessness among the black majority. «We do have a target of redistributing 30 percent of all agricultural land in the country by the year 2015,» Mayende said in an interview with the newspaper. The government is under pressure to speed up the land redistribution programme, since militants in neighbouring Zimbabwe, including veterans of the country’s liberation war, started driving white farmers off their land in 2000. South Africa has repeatedly said it will not tolerate illegal land grabs. But fears of Zimbabwe-style land seizures have helped pressure the rand in the foreign exchange market. Unlike Zimbabwe, where the government has ordered some 2,900 white farmers to quit their land without compensation, South Africa is buying white-owned land for its redistribution scheme. Mayende said white farmers were being cooperative, but added that they could do more to help speed up the process. «As you can imagine the events from across our borders probably have played a role here. There is still a sense that many have this instinct of wanting to resist...,» he said. «If the process of negotiations fail irrevocably, then we have the option of invoking the right of the state to expropriate land in the public interest.» The government has so far avoided taking the expropriation route, with only one known case since 1994. More than 3.5 million blacks were driven from their homes, many at gunpoint during the 46 years of white apartheid rule that ended with Nelson Mandela’s election as president in 1994. «Property rights are protected by our constitution, but the constitution says these property rights must be balanced against the public interest and the nation’s commitment to land reform,» said Mayende. He said while the legacy of apartheid had to be reversed swiftly, there was no case for Zimbabwe-style land grabs. (CNN, USA, 15 September 2002)

* Afrique du Sud. Complot d’extrême droite — Le 14 septembre, la police sud-africaine s’est emparée d’un camion chargé de munitions, d’armes et d’explosifs, appartenant à des extrémistes blancs nostalgiques de l’apartheid. A l’invitation d’une “autorité intérimaire de la république Boers”, des Afrikaners devaient se rassembler à Lichtenburg pour renverser le gouvernement. A la suite d’une enquête discrète étalée sur un an, la police a investi les domiciles de plusieurs suspects. Pour l’instant, dix personnes ont été arrêtées, parmi lesquelles trois éléments des forces armées. La police accuse une organisation d’extrême droite baptisée “Boermag” (Force du Boer) d’avoir organisé l’opération afin de prendre le pouvoir et chasser les Noirs du pays. Un document a été saisi, donnant des précisions sur les préparatifs d’un projet visant la mise sur pied d’un nouveau gouvernement avec l’aide de quelque 3.700 membres de l’armée sud-africaine. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 16 septembre  2002)

* South Africa. The Billion Dollar Summit — The recently ended world summit in Johannesburg earned $1 billion and created 18,040 jobs. A report from South Africa’s tourism ministry says that $8 billion was earned through increased economic activity and $2.6 billion from spending by delegates. The South African government spent $45 million on summit arrangements, while international sponsors of the conference, donor agencies and private companies put in $62 million. A survey commissioned by the tourism ministry involving 400 of the delegates, indicated that those who attended spent, on average, between $2,700 and $3,900 each. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 16 September 2002)

* South Africa. HIV puppet on Sesame Street — 17 September: The South African version of the children’s educational programme Sesame Street has introduced an HIV positive character. The programme, aimed at very young children, wants to show that those living with HIV are no different to others and should be treated as such. About one in nine South Africans have the virus, with thousands of children having become orphans because of the AIDS epidemic. The provision of drugs to treat the disease has become a controversial political issue, with AIDS campaigners taking legal action to force the government to provide anti-retroviral drugs. The name of the latest addition to Takalani Sesame is Kami. She is five, she likes playing, reading and telling stories. The character has been introduced to the programme, with the HIV infection rate on the increase and with one in five South Africans now living with the virus. The idea is to teach children that people can live normal lives with HIV. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 17 September 2002)

* Afrique du Sud. Marée noire — 15 septembre. La marée noire menace la réserve naturelle de Saint Lucia, sur la côte est de l’Afrique du Sud, l’une des plus belles réserves d’animaux du continent. Des équipes de secours intensifient leurs efforts, notamment avec des barrières flottantes, pour tenter de contenir l’avancée d’une nappe de fioul et de gazole qui se dégage d’un cargo italien le Jolly Rubino, en proie à un incendie depuis le 10 septembre et échoué à 200 mètres de la côte. Les 22 hommes d’équipage ont pu être évacués. La nappe d’hydrocarbures menace de remonter les embouchures de la rivière Saint Lucia et du fleuve Umfolozi. La réserve marine menacée, inscrite au patrimoine mondial de l’Unesco, est l’habitat de 115 espèces différentes d’oiseaux, mais aussi d’hippopatames et de crocodiles. — 17 septembre. De nouvelles fissures ont été repérées dans le cargo, forçant les sauveteurs à donner priorité au pompage des 800 tonnes de carburant restant dans les cuves, plutôt qu’au renflouage. Selon le scénario le plus optimiste, le pompage pourrait être achevé le 19 au soir. Pour l’instant, on assure que le carburant n’a pas  pénétré dans les estuaires donnant accès à la réserve; seul le littoral a été souillé sur une distance de 1 à 2 km. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 17 septembre 2002)

* South Africa. Oil spill threatens coast — 13 September: Officials in South Africa have held an emergency meeting to consider how to deal with a damaged freighter that is leaking oil in an environmentally sensitive area off the eastern coast. The Italian-flagged «Jolly Rubino», ran aground near the St. Lucia Wetland Park, a bird sanctuary, on 12 September. The authorities have warned the public that the ship is also carrying a container filled with Highly toxic chemicals. The vessel is on fire, and the authorities say they cannot begin the salvage process until this is put out. The ship had more than 1,000 tonnes of diesel and fuel oil on board when it beached. 15 September: Rescue workers are laying oil-absorbent booms to try and protect the nature reserve. Conservationists will also to work out if the stranded ship can be refloated and towed to sea or if the oil must be pumped out. 17 September: Salvage workers have managed to reduce the amount of oil escaping from the burning ship, but hope of refloating the ship are fading. 18 September: MISNA reports that salvage workers have now abandoned attempts to tow the Jolly Rubino out to sea. They have now begun prepartions to pump out the oil. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 18 September 2002)

* Soudan. Réfugiés érythréens — Le 14 septembre, le HCR a débuté la procédure légale d’enregistrement des réfugiés érythréens qui désirent continuer à vivre au Soudan sous asile politique. En juin dernier, le HCR avait décidé que les Erythréens vivant au Soudan perdront leur statut de réfugiés au 31 décembre 2002. Des bureaux ont été ouverts au centre et à l’est du Soudan pour permettre aux réfugiés, qui sont en mesure de prouver qu’ils feraient l’objet de persécution politique à leur retour en Erythrée, de se présenter pour un examen judiciaire de leur cas. D’autre part, quelque 3.000 réfugiés érythréens qui se sont portés volontaires pour un rapatriement, ont été inscrits. (PANA, Sénégal, 14 septembre 2002)

* Sudan. Rebels call for resumption of peace talks — 9 September: MISNA reports that the Sudanese airforce has carried out an air raid,today, targeting the centre of Yabus in southern Sudan. Two young boys are killed and eight others injured. The bombs fall short of a primary school courtyard. 12 September: The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) has called for the resumption of peace talks that aborted last week after the Khartoum government pulled out, citing the recapture of the southern Sudanese town of Torit by the SPLA, as the country’s 19-year civil war lingers on. In an interview with PANA in Nairobi, SPLM/A spokesman Dr Samson Kwaje said the Khartoum government was  only using the recapture of Torit as a pretext to abort the talks for which it has never demonstrated serious commitment. Kwaje said the delegation from Southern Sudan at the talks was still in Kenya ready to return to Machakos, 100 km northeast of the Kenyan capital, where the talks were being held. «But we cannot afford to keep [our delegation] in Kenya for ever. We are also prepared to continue to defend our territory as we have been doing for the past 19 years, if Khartoum refuses to talk peace,» Kwaje said. 17 September: Sudan’s government is demanding guarantees from the SPLA that it will observe a cessation of hostilities before talks aimed at ending a 19-year civil war can resume. Meanwhile, US officials on 16 September said that the government’s actions in the rebel-controlled south were threatening Washington’s recent rapprochement with Sudan. 18 September: The government rules out discussions on the rebels’ demand for the incorporation of the Nuba Mountains, the southern Blue Nile, and Abyei with southern Sudan. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 18 September 2002)

* Sudan. «Sudan’s Best Chance For Peace — How Not To Lose It» — The International Crisis Group (ICG) has published a Report (17 September 2002) on recent peace efforts in Sudan. The ICG says: «The first round of the promising peace process mediated by the regional Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD), produced the breakthrough Machakos Protocol, with provisional agreements on the key issues of a self-determination referendum for the South, and religion and state. However, the government walked out of the second round after losing an important city on the battlefield in early September. IGAD mediators and the observer countries (USA, UK, Norway, Italy) must devise a strategy for reviving the talks and then keeping the parties focused on negotiating a comprehensive solution». The Report offers Recommendations to the IGAD envoys, the IGAD secretariat, and the International observers. (For the full report, please see CrisisWeb — http://www.crisisweb.org)plain + (ICG, Belgium, 17 September 2002)

* Togo. Opposant et journaliste condamnés — Claude Amegavani, président du Parti des travailleurs togolais, et Julien Ayi, directeur du journal Nouvel Echo, ont été condamnés à 4 mois de prison et à une amende de 100.000 FCFA chacun, pour atteinte à l’honneur du président Eyadéma. Les deux hommes avaient été incarcérés quelques jours après la publication, début août, par deux journaux privés, d’articles sur la fortune présumée du chef de l’Etat togolais et de sa famille, évaluée à 4,5 milliards de dollars. Amegavani aurait diffusé sur Internet et publié sur un quotidien togolais, sous un pseudonyme, une article où il est question d’importantes sommes d’argent puisées dans les caisses de l’Etat et transportées sur un compte à l’étranger. Le tribunal n’a pas tenu compte de la  déclaration sous serment d’un journaliste en exil qui a reconnu être l’auteur de l’article. Le 13 septembre, Amnesty International et Reporters sans frontières ont dénoncé la condamnation. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 13 septembre 2002)

* Togo. Législatives fixées au 27 octobre — Des élections législatives anticipées auront lieu le 27 octobre prochain au Togo, a-t-on appris le 18 septembre à Lomé de source officielle. Un décret à cet effet a été signé par le président Eyadéma. On rappelle que les principaux partis d’opposition appellent au boycottage de ces législatives, du fait de la modification unilatérale par le gouvernement du code électoral, qui avait été adopté de manière consensuelle par l’opposition et la mouvance présidentielle dans le cadre de l’accord-cadre de Lomé. (PANA, Sénégal, 18 septembre 2002)

* Uganda. 2 Ugandan Martyrs to be Beatified in October — Pope John Paul II on 20 October will beatify two young catechists of the Acholi ethnic group of Uganda, who died for their faith in 1918. The Acholis live in the area now occupied by the guerrillas of the Lord’s Resistance Army, who kidnap their children and force them into their ranks. Daudi (David) Okelo, about 16 to 18 years of age, and Jildo Irwa, about 12 to 14 years of age, were speared and knifed to death in Palamuku, near Paimol, a northern village, in the Upper Nile basin. They were dragged out of a hut, where they had sought refuge, by two local chiefs. The chiefs had demanded that the pair stop teaching the Gospel. Since the day of their martyrdom, the place of their death has been called Wi-Polo («In Heaven»), a reminder of the two youths’ reward. On Sunday, 20 October, John Paul II will present the two Ugandans as models of fidelity to their Christian calling. Uganda already has a history of martyrdom. In 1969 in Namugongo, Paul VI proclaimed the first 27 martyrs of this African country. They had died a century earlier. Before going to Paimol, David Okelo and Jildo Irwa were asked by Father Cesare Gambaretto, the missionary superior: «And if they kill you?» «We will go to heaven. Anthony is already there, no?» David answered, referring to another catechist. Seeing the missionary worried and perplexed, Jildo added: «No, Father, do not be afraid. Jesus and Mary are with us.» Christians comprise almost 70% of Uganda’s 23.9 million people. (Zenit, Italy, 12 September 2002)

* Ouganda. Recensement national — Le président Museveni a dissipé les craintes que les données collectées dans le cadre du recensement de la population, qui a démarré le 13 septembre, ne soient utilisées à des fins de discrimnation politique et d’imposition. Il réagissait ainsi à des craintes exprimées par le public et entretenues par ses adversaires politiques. Avant le début du recensement, la population, particulièrement en zone rurale, avait exprimé son  ressentiment, affirmant qu’il était tabou selon la coutume ougandaise de compter les enfants, les épouses, le bétail et les biens du ménage. Craignant que cette opération serve à des fins d’imposition, certains paysans auraient diminué le nombre de leurs têtes de bétail, en les dissimulant dans la brousse. Ce recensement qui durera une semaine, sera le plus détaillé jamais réalisé dans le pays. (PANA, Sénégal, 13 septembre 2002)

* Ouganda. Deux missionnaires enlevés — Le 14 septembre, les rebelles ougandais de l’Armée de résistance du Seigneur (LRA) ont enlevé deux missionnaires italiens et un nombre indéterminé d’Ougandais après avoir attaqué la ville d’Opit (330 km au nord de Kampala). Les PP. Ponziano Velluto (71 ans) et Alex Pizzi (63 ans) ont été emmenés par les rebelles, qui les ont libérés plus tard dans la journée. Plusieurs civils ont également été relâchés, mais on ignore leur nombre. Selon l’armée, deux rebelles ont été tués lors de l’attaque, alors que plusieurs soldats ont été blessés. (D’après AP, USA, 15 septembre 2002)

* Uganda. High alert in many areas — 13 September: Uganda’s first national census for eleven years starts today, with people encouraged to stay at home and wait for the census takers. The day has been declared a public holiday, although the nationwide exercise will not be completed until 19 September. The last census in 1991, put the population at 16.1 million, according to the New Vision newspaper. This time, officials expect the numbers to rise as high as 22 million. The army and police are on high alert during the census, especially in the north. 15 September: Reports from Uganda say the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have released two Italian priests who were abducted during an attack (14 September) on the Opiti Catholic Mission, near Gulu. An unknown number of Ugandan civilians also kidnapped during the raid are thought to have been released as well. 16 September: Looking at the general situation over the last few days, LRA rebels have carried out a series of attacks, kidnapping 41 people. The Ugandan army carried out operations against the rebels and were able to release 34 people, some of whom had been held for three or four years. As a result of an LRA attack on a convoy carrying World Food Programme assistance to displaced people, the agency has suspended operations in northern Uganda. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 16 September 2002)

* Ouganda. Le nord du pays exsangue — Selon un rapport de l’Onu, la lutte qui oppose l’armée ougandaise aux rebelles de la LRA a créé une situation humanitaire dramatique dans le nord de l’Ouganda. Les ressources locales ne suffisent plus depuis le retour d’environ 3.000 combattants de la LRA, autrefois basés au Soudan. Les principales villes de la région considérées comme sûres ont vu affluer les réfugiés dans  leurs hôpitaux, leurs écoles et leurs églises. Quarante camps, situés dans trois districts, sont difficilement alimentés par le PAM. Quelque 522.000 personnes, dans l’incapacité de cultiver leurs champs, sont menacées. L’opération lancée par le président Museveni contre la LRA au Soudan et les tentatives de négociation avec son chef, Joseph Kony, semblent être dans l’impasse. (Ndlr.: Selon une dépêche de l’agence Misna du 17 septembre, le PAM a décidé de suspendre jusqu’à nouvel ordre la distribution des aides alimentaires dans les districts de Pader et de Kitgum, à cause des fréquentes attaques de la LRA contre les moyens de transport sur les routes). (JA/L’Intelligent, France, 16 septembre 2002)

* Zimbabwe. Lois d’expulsions — Le 12 septembre, le gouvernement zimbabwéen a annoncé qu’il allait durcir les lois relatives à l’expulsion des fermiers blancs, une décision qui annule les sursis accordés par la justice à des vingtaines de fermiers. Les ordres d’expropriation donnant 90 jours aux fermiers pour quitter leurs terres et jugés invalides par les tribunaux, seront de nouveau envoyés. Ces derniers accorderont sept jours aux fermiers pour partir, et ce à partir de la date d’émission. Les amendes infligées aux fermiers réfractaires devraient passer de 20.000 dollars zimbabwéens (environ 363 euros) à 100.000 (1.800 euros). Si le décret, publié le 13 septembre, est approuvé par le Parlement, plus aucun recours devant la justice ne sera possible. — Le vendredi 13 septembre, douze fermiers blancs ont été arrêtés dans la région de Chiredzi (sud-est) et resteront en garde à vue jusqu’à lundi, pour ne pas avoir respecté l’ordre d’expropriation. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 14 septembre 2002)

* Zimbabwe. Retired judge arrested — 13 September: Zimbabwean police have arrested a 65-year-old former judge, Fergus Blackie, who earlier this year sentenced a government minister to a jail term. Retired high court judge Fergus Blackie is arrested at four o’clock, this morning, at his home, according to friends of the family. The arrest is the latest incident in a series of conflicts between the government of President Robert Mugabe and the judiciary. Judges have overturned government decisions on the media and the land resettlement programme, to the anger of ministers. Seven judges have resigned or retired early from the bench in the last 15 months, and there is only one white judge left in the high court. Twelve white farmers are also reported to have been arrested in the southern area of Chiredzi, today, for defying eviction orders requiring them to leave their farms. Also, the government gazette publishes new regulations on land resettlement which are intended to speed up the process of land redistribution. 14 September: The former judge appears in court. A police spokesman says the judge is under investigation and could face criminal prosecution for  allegedly overturning the conviction of a white woman on fraud charges. 16 September: A report from the Daily Telegraph says that yesterday, the Zimbabwe High Court ruled that the arrest and continued detention of former Judge Blackie was legal. — He is released on bail, today. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 16 September 2002)

* Zimbabwe/Libye. Pétrole et vivres — Le 9 septembre, la Libye et le Zimbabwe ont renouvelé un contrat de partenariat commercial d’envergure. Tripoli s’engage à fournir, au cours de la prochaine année, quelque 360 millions de dollars de pétrole à Harare, soit 70% de ses besoins annuels. En échange, la Jamahiriya bénéficiera de facilités d’investissements dans de nombreux domaines. Parmi ceux-ci: les infrastructures pétrolières, les mines, l’agriculture et le tourisme. — D’autre part, le 16 septembre, le Japon a accordé au Zimbabwe 4 millions de dollars destinés à l’achat de vivres pour faire face à la famine. Cette aide sera octroyée par l’intermédiaire du PAM, dans le cadre d’un don de 12,4 millions de dollars offert par le gouvernement japonais aux pays d’Afrique australe frappés par la famine. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 16 septembre 2002)

* Zimbabwe. Speeding up farmer evictions — 12 September: The Zimbabwe Government plans to change the law, making it easier and quicker to evict white farmers, state media has reported. The new legislation would be introduced soon, according to the Herald newspaper, widely seen as a government mouthpiece. This follows the refusal of many white farmers to comply with a government deadline to leave their farms by 9 August. Many have filed legal challenges and the High Court has ruled that many eviction orders were invalid because the government had failed to notify banks, to which many farms are mortgaged. Fines for not complying with eviction orders will be increased from 20,000 Zimbabwe dollars to 10,000 Z$ ($1,800), the Herald says. The paper also quoted Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa as saying that he will be trying to reduce the time farmers have to leave their farms from 90 to five days after they are served with an eviction order. Some 2,900 of Zimbabwe’s 4,000 white farmers were told to leave their land last month. But lobby group Justice for Agriculture (Jag) says that 2,500 have remained. Some 300 of them have been arrested by the police. Correspondents say the government is frustrated by its inability to legally take possession of white-owned farms. President Robert Mugabe has promised his supporters that his «land revolution» would be completed by the end of last month. — President Mugabe tells the UN General Assembly that his government has completed its «fast track» land reforms. 18 September: Parliament adopts new legislation making it easier to evict white farmers. The new law will force farmers to leave their land within a week of being served eviction notices, rather than the 90-day  deadline previously in place. Many farmers used the 90 days to appeal against their eviction orders, many of which were subsequently annulled by the High Court. Under the new law, these cancelled eviction orders can be reissued. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 18 September 2002)

* Zimbabwe. The real victims of land seizures — The worst victims of Robert Mugabe’s land seizures are not the few thousand white farming families being evicted from their farms. Those suffering the most are the hundreds of thousands of black farm workers who are losing their jobs, being thrown out of their homes, often violently, and who will make up an enormous new landless class. As Zimbabwe’s parliament on 17 September considered new legislation to speed up the seizure of white-owned land, Mr Mugabe’s ministers made no mention of the growing crisis of homeless black farm workers and their families. But trade unions, aid agencies and human rights groups are very concerned about their rapidly worsening plight. About 150,000 labourers have been evicted from seized farms, and when their families are included that figure grows to 780,000, according to a new survey by the Zimbabwe Community Development Trust (ZCDT). The ZCDT survey also shows that more than 10,000 orphans and 14,000 elderly people who had lived on the farms will now be homeless. The ZCDT is distributing blankets and food. Another group, the Farm Community Trust, is providing food for 80,000 children in central Zimbabwe, and the Farm Orphan Support Trust is helping children in the eastern part of the country. (The Guardian, UK, 18 September 2002)