ZIMBABWE: ASSAULTED FARMER IAN KAY SPEAKS скачать в хорошем качестве

ZIMBABWE: ASSAULTED FARMER IAN KAY SPEAKS

(5 Apr 2000) English/Nat XFA A Zimbabwean farmer who was assaulted and nearly killed by black squatters has, on Wednesday, spoken to A-P-T-N about his ordeal. Meanwhile another farmer who has been negotiating the release of a farming couple being kept hostage by squatters was harassed after he spoke to A-P-T-N. The television crew was also attacked. With the increase in tension and violence the main opposition party M-D-C has set up a support centre in Harare. The centre collects information about incidents and tries to communicate with the assaulted farmers. Ian Kay was released from hospital on Wednesday after black squatters assaulted and nearly killed him at his farm in Marondera. He was attacked by around 25 assailants who bound his wrists with wire, whipped him across the back and beat him around the head. He managed to run away when the attackers, after they were distracted by a vehicle approaching his corn and tobacco farm. Thankful to be alive, Kay spent Wednesday with his family. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Then they eventually broke the door down and they beat me further in the school ground (on the farm). When they had done that, they tied my arms together and took me up the road. They said they wanted to take me to my house to see how many guns I had and to move into my house." SUPERCAPTION: Ian Kay, assaulted farmer Kay said the farmers did want land, but the attacks were more to do with the current political situation. SOUNDBITE: (English) "They are definitely people that do want land and everybody understands that, but the majority of it is political campaigning." SUPERCAPTION: Ian Kay, assaulted farmer Before leaving Kay lifted his shirt to reveal the extent of the brutal attack. In the meantime at a farm in Mvruwi an elderly farming couple is being kept hostage for a second day by the squatters. About 60 squatters armed with knives and clubs surrounded the home of farmer J.J. Hammond in the Mvruwi farming area, 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Harare. The squatters, led by men claiming to be veterans of Zimbabwe's independence war, surrounded Hammond's farmhouse on Tuesday. Their neighbouring farmer, who has been negotiating their release, spoke about the situation. SOUNDBITE: (English) "It was disturbing and frightening for I think especially the women folk. People were all around the house. Making fires on the lawns. And beating drums and making all sort of extraordinary noises. I think it's not a pleasant thing for an ordinary farming couple to face up to, but they are facing up to it with great courage and I believe it's going to be resolved." SUPERCAPTION: Andre Holland, farmer and neighbour of farm couple that is held hostage by squatters Shortly afterwards the farmer was harassed and the television crew attacked by the squatters. The assailants ran after the A-P-T-N crew and then attacked their vehicle with a golf club as they drove off. With an increase in tension and violence the main opposition party MDC (the Movement for Democratic Change) has set up a support centre in Harare. The centre collects information about incidents and tries to communicate with the assaulted farmers. But the workers at the centre have failed to contact the couple being kept hostage in Mvruwi as the telephone lines seem to have all been destroyed. UPSOUND: "Do what you said. See if he is alright. If there is anything we can do for him (talking about Mr. Hammond, who is kept hostage) SUPERCAPTION: Hendrik O'Neill, coordinator at MDC Support Centre UPSOUND: "Any updates on Mr. Hammond? Problems with the phone." Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...