Families Dumped by Minister Goche's Ceres Farm Still Stranded

WASHINGTON DC —  More than 20 families evicted from Labour Minister Nicholas Goche’s Ceres Farm in Shamva North, Mashonaland Central, are still camping on the side of the Shamva-Harare road, two weeks after they were forcefully evicted from the farm by armed guards.

MDC-T Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Godfrey Chimombe said the more than 70 people, including young children, were evicted from the farm for supporting his party.

Chimombe said what was most disturbing was that most, if not all of the evicted people, were born at the farm and have known Ceres Farm as their only home.

Goche invaded the farm at the height of farm invasions in 2000 and took over everything including the farm labourers, who continued working at the farm.

Chimombe said some of the workers have now resorted to doing odd jobs due to non-payment of wages.

One of those evicted workers is MDC-T member Shadreck Sibanda, who stood as the party’s council candidate but lost to a Zanu PF candidate. Sibanda told Studio 7 their children are now missing school because of the evictions.

Chimombe added that they are now appealing for any form of assistance from members of the public.

Interview With Godfrey Chimombe

Studio 7 failed to reach Minister Goche for a comment as his mobile phone was not being answered.