Zimbabwe: Armed groups allegedly assault three farmers

(SomaliNet) The Zimbabwe\'s Commercial Farmers\' Union (CFU) said armed groups have allegedly attacked and seriously injured three white farmers in Zimbabwe, one of them a woman.

CFU said the farmers were abducted, assaulted and thrown off a moving vehicle in Chegutu district, 100km west of here.

\"All have serious head injuries.\"

However, The CFU\'s president, Trevor Gifford, refused to comment on whether the attack on the farmers was politically motivated.

\"You\'d have to talk to the people involved,\" Gifford said.

Immediately after the elections on March 29War veterans and ruling Zanu-PF militiamen invaded a number of white-owned farms, saying they were harbouring returning farmers who sought to reclaim their land.

The farmers attacked since Sunday were among a group who successfully challenged President Robert Mugabe\'s attempt to acquire their properties.

The trio are Michael and Angela Campbell, who led the legal challenge, and Ben Freeth, who was associated with it.

Mrs Campbell had broken her arms and had serious head injuries, while her husband had serious head injuries and a broken collar bone. Freeth had serious head injuries and it was feared he might lose an eye, the CFU said.

Wayne Bvudzijena, police spokesperson said 16 people had been arrested for robberies in the district and a search was under way for more members of the group.

\"We have arrested 16 people who were trying to move onto farms and robbing people,\" he said.

\"These are cases of common criminality, with a group of about 40 going around victimising people.

\"We have now stationed armed police officers on the farms.\" - Reuters