The uproar over Zimbabwe’s controversial land redistribution program may have died down somewhat, but that doesn’t mean it’s all done and dusted up there with our neighbours to the north.

Just ask Phillip Rankin, handcuffed and forcibly removed from his farm following a morning raid by police to enforce Dr Sylvester Nyatsuroa’s land claim. The Zimbabwean born doctor, now a British citizen, may have some rather powerful allies.

The Telegraph with more on this story:

Dr Nyatsuro, a 45-year-old GP who runs a slimming clinic in Nottingham, arrived at the tobacco farm, Kingston Deverill, in September with a letter from the government allocating the land to him.

Political sources in Harare suggested the doctor – whom Mr Rankin said was accompanied by his wife, Veronica and government officials, had family connections to Grace Mugabe, the president’s wife.

It really does pay to have friends in high places. So what about all those employed by Rankin to work on his now defunct tobacco farm?

The couple, who used to own 2,000 acres which has gradually been whittled away, also employ 40 permanent workers who live with their families on the farm and at least 20 “casuals” during peak season.

Not that old Bob and his wife care much for the lives of everyday Zimbabweans up in their ivory tower. A final precautionary note then:

In February last year, there were warnings that Zimbabwe’s approximately 300 remaining white farmers were under renewed threat from a rash of new land claims.

Peter Steyl, the president of the Commercial Farmers’ Union, said that Mr Rankin had been doing “the best he could under difficult circumstances”.

“Zimbabwe is in deep trouble and no one is taking responsibility,” he said.

Just when you think you’re out of the woods hey guys. Meanwhile at the African Union summit Uncle Bob received a standing ovation – you couldn’t make this stuff up.

[source:telegraph]