The fast track resettlement program was also seen to endanger food security for the rural population. An agricultural extension officer commented: “I don’t think the land invasions are there to promote production, because when you invade you are disrupting production,” and complained that the unregulated movement of animals to the new areas spreads diseases.71 Meanwhile, “the war veterans on the farms in this area that are settled are just drinking beer and causing trouble, while they are waiting for the seeds, fertilizer, and tractors that have been promised.”72 In many cases, farm workers and farm owners said war veterans were occupying commercial farm land without using it, other than to harvest crops and kill and eat livestock already on the farm. “On some farms they are planting maize and sunflowers and beans, but on the farm where I work they are just sitting there causing problems. Sometimes they stop the workers going to work; sometimes they are killing cattle to feed themselves.”73 Farm workers and peasant farmers from communal areas repeatedly expressed to Human Rights Watch their dismay at the wastage caused by occupations of efficiently run commercial farms, when there was unused land that could be allocated to new settlers instead. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned in December 2001 that “the already tight food situation has deteriorated as a result of reduced cereal production and general economic decline…705,000 in rural areas are at risk of food shortages. In addition, 250,000 people in urban areas are experiencing food difficulties due to a sharp increase in food prices, while some 30,000 farm workers have lost their jobs and are left without means of assistance.”74 The Commercial Farmers’ Union estimated that close to 250,000 head of cattle (nearly 20 percent of the national commercial herd) had been forcibly “destocked” by late 2001, and that over 1.6 million hectares of grazing land had been burnt out, while commercial maize planting was down to 45,000 hectares from 150,000 hectares in the 1999/2000 season. Export crops such as tobacco were similarly affected. 75 Inflation topped 100 percent per annum in November 2001. 76 These problems have exacerbated food shortages already generated by a period of drought. The first consignment of donated maize arrived in Zimbabwe, usually a maize exporter, in January 2002, and the World Food Programme began emergency food distribution in February 2002.77 IV. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS This report focuses both on the violence that has accompanied the land occupations of the last two years, and on the adverse effects that the fast track land reform process has had for the one of the constituencies it was supposed to benefit: the rural poor. The report does not describe general violence against the political opposition, except insofar as it is related to the fast track reforms. Violence and Intimidation in the Course of Land Occupations Eye witness testimony collected by Human Rights Watch in July 2001 confirmed reports collected by journalists and other human rights organizations concerning violence that had taken place in the context of land occupations. According to the Commercial Farmers’ Union, which represents (largely white) farm owners, at least 829 “violent or hostile” incidents had taken place on commercial farms up to the end of September 2001. 78 This violence has been worst in Mashonaland Central. 71 Human Rights Watch interview, agricultural extension officer, Chimanimani, July 17, 2001. Human Rights Watch interview, communal area, Chimanimani, July 17, 2001. 73 Human Rights Watch interview, farm worker from Marondera area, Harare, July 18, 2001. 74 FAO, “Food Supply Situation Tightening in Southern Africa,” Africa Report No. 3, December 2001, available at www.fao.org. 75 CFU statement, October 19, 2001; CFU “Background Briefing” submitted to the SADC heads of state summit, January 1315, 2002. 76 “Inflation in Zimbabwe surges to record 103.8 percent,” SAPA-AP, December 18, 2001. 77 “Programme to send food to Zimbabwe set for clearance,” Financial Times (London), January 17, 2002; “Emergency food aid deliveries start,” IRIN, February 21, 2002. 78 CFU statement, October 19, 2001. 72 Human Rights Watch 18 March 2002, Vol. 14, No. 1 (A)