Farmers’ Fate Still Unclear

President Robert Mugabe told the nation Monday that the days of whites owning large farms in Zimbabwe are over but that “loyal” whites who cooperate with his government will not be left completely landless.

The fate of hundreds of white farmers defying government orders to give up their land remained unclear.

Mugabe said he would not tolerate opposition to his plans to redistribute white-owned farms to blacks. He said black commercial farmers are expected to take over allocated land by the end of this month.

“That deadline stands,” Mugabe said in a televised address. But, he said, he would still be willing to do business with white farmers who cooperate with his government.

“All genuine and well-meaning white farmers who wish to pursue a farming career as loyal citizens of this country will have land to do so,” Mugabe said.

Farmers prevented from working their fields during land seizures over the last two years were puzzled by Mugabe’s remarks, said David Hasluck, director of the Commercial Farmers’ Union, representing 4,000 white farmers.

“That loyal Zimbabweans can farm is entirely new to us. The majority of my members have been trying to farm as loyal Zimbabweans, but they have been stopped from doing so,” Hasluck said.

Mugabe also said whites will not be allowed to stay on large properties, own more than one farm or cling to ties with Britain, the former colonial power.