Mugabes and his thugs try to take over some farms

Supporters of Robert Mugabe have left a German-owned property following threats that aid from Berlin would be cut off, a German embassy spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Observers said it is believed to be the first time that diplomatic pressure against Mugabe's administration had succeeded since he launched a revolutionary land reform programme in 2000, driving 4 500 white farming families off their property and setting off the collapse of the agriculture-based economy.

Three farms, owned by German citizen Heinrich von Pezold, which produce coffee, tea, fruit and timber in the Chipinge district in the south-east of the country were invaded by mobs in early June.

Although the farms are covered by a decade-old bilateral investment protection agreement, police refused to take action against the invaders