Germany threatens to cut off aid to Zimbabwe over attempts to seize German-owned farm
By APFriday, July 2, 2010
Protests at seizure of German-owned Zimbabwe farm
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Germany’s government says it will cut off aid to Zimbabwe unless illegal and violent occupiers leave a farm owned by a German national.
In a Friday protest note to the Zimbabwe foreign ministry, Germany noted the occupation of the eastern Zimbabwe property owned by German investor Heinrich von Pezold violated a decade-old investment agreement between the two countries.
Germany said the farm seizure and looting of the property could imperil aid. Last year, Germany gave $50 million to the southern African country.
A South African farmers’ support group also protested the arrest Thursday of South African Mike Odendaal for allegedly not vacating his farm in southeastern Zimbabwe.
