White farmers refuse to give in

More than half of the 2,900 white farmers given eviction orders in Zimbabwe were still on their land yesterday, according to a new support group, as they awaited President Robert Mugabe's next move to drive them out.

The Zimbabwean government reiterated yesterday that it would take stern action against "arrogant and racist" white farmers. But action may be delayed until tomorrow, when Mr Mugabe addresses the nation at the burial of his former finance minister, Bernard Chidzero.

At least 2,900 of Zimbabwe's 4,500 white commercial farmers were told to leave their farms by Friday or face fines and possible jail terms, but Jenni Williams, of the new Justice for Agriculture (Jag) pressure group, said 60 per cent, about 1,700, of the targeted farmers were staying put. The rest had now left for safe havens in urban centres, resorts or abroad. The US State Department yesterday called the evictions "a reckless and reprehensible act".

A High Court judgment on Wednesday that invalidated one eviction order raised hopes of a possible reprieve, but Mr Mugabe and his associates have repeatedly defied any judgements against his land reform policies. His deputy, Simon Muzenda, told the farmers on state radio yesterday: "You are told by government what we want done ... and you simply do that." Mr Muzenda has already taken for himself two prime farms seized from whites.

The decision to evict farmers comes as half of Zimbabwe's 13 million people face serious food shortages.