Mnangagwa aids white farmer’s return

THE Zimbabwean government is overseeing the return of a white farmer to land that was seized from him at gunpoint in what it hailed as a sign of the new president’s “inclusiveness”.

Rob Smart, 71, whooped with joy this week when he was told that he could return to his farm in eastern Zimbabwe – the only home he has ever known. He and his family, including his young grandchildren, and many of their workers, were evicted nearly six months ago by gangs loyal to Grace Mugabe, the former first lady.

Robert Mugabe, 93, the former president, was forced to resign last month after a coup d’état, in which he was succeeded by Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former ally. Mr Mugabe supported land invasions which saw about 4,000 white farmers evicted, sometimes violently.

Mr Smart told Reuters that Mr Mnangagwa personally oversaw his return after he heard about the case and “flipped his lid”.

Chris Mutsvangwa, an adviser to Mr Mnangagwa, said: “Land reform is over. Now we want inclusiveness.”