Protests at seizure of German-owned Zimbabwe farm

[July 02, 2010]  HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- 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.

[Associated Press]

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