After returning to his farm following assurances by new President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a Zimbabwean white farmer said it felt great to be back home.
Robert Smart, 71, was evicted from his farm during the Robert Mugabe era in a move that was meant to possess land from whites and give it to the blacks.
AFP reports Smart to say he was evicted at gunpoint” with whatever we had on our backs at the moment” to make way for a cleric close to Mugabe.
Mugabe’s reign came to an abrupt end last month following a military takeover that forced him into resigning from the presidency.
Former vice president Mnangagwa – whose sacking sparked the military move – took over from Mugabe on a caretaker basis until elections are held next year.
The new leader pledged to return stolen land back to the rightful owners, a promise that was well received among the white farmers who were evicted during the past reign.
Smart says he was forced to rely on the kindness of friends and strangers after losing everything during the eviction.
He says most of his possessions were looted while some were damaged during the eviction.
“A lot of the property that was inside the house was thrown out and trashed. What little was left was stolen,” Smart said.
“We have to start building from scratch again.”
He however was happy to be back home, saying returning “is a pleasant feeling. It’s the plus side of things.”
