Accessibility links

Breaking News

Darwendale Farmer Left For Dead in Brutal Attack


Zanu PF activists invaded white commercial farms in the year 2000, displacing over 3,000 commercial farmers. (File Photo)
Zanu PF activists invaded white commercial farms in the year 2000, displacing over 3,000 commercial farmers. (File Photo)

Zimbabwean farmer, David Passapoorts, and his wife, Anne, are battling for life at St. Annes Hospital in Harare following a severe attack by unknown assailants at their Chirawanoo Game Farm in Darwendale Monday night.

Sources say the attack is politically-motivated citing alleged threats to Passapoorts from an unnamed Zanu PF politician in the area.

But his father, Allan, told VOA from St. Annes Hospital that the family is not sure as to who could be behind the attack, adding they have been having problems with game poachers on the farm lately.

“He’s in surgery at the moment. They are trying to relieve pressure from his brain,” said Allan Passapoorts.

“They were beaten very, very badly. We are not sure why or who (assaulted them). We are not going to speculate until my son is out of the critical situation and we are absolutely sure.”

“Our main problem now is to stabilize my son to make sure he pulls through.”

He, however, said the family has “fantastic support” from police in the area and Zanu PF provincial chairman Themba Mliswa, adding they are working hard to find the attackers.

The assailants are said to have gained entrance into Passapoorts’ bedroom and severely assaulted both David and his wife, who apparently was also threatened with rape.

They both sustained broken bones and the husband got a fractured skull and is in a critical and life threatening condition.

"We understand that one of their young girls who is four years old managed to untie her mother so that she could phone David's father Allan and get help," a source close to the family said.

"They have been under severe pressure lately from someone wanting the farm and were in the process of making moves to get off the farm" said the source

Mashonaland West provincial spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara said he could not comment on the issue since he was on leave.

David Passapoorts underwent a 12-hour operation to save his life Tuesday.

XS
SM
MD
LG