ZIMBABWE: President Robert Mugabe's two-year campaign to transfer minority white-owned farms to majority blacks has drawn sharp international rebuke because of its often violent nature.
Critics blame food shortages faced by millions in the southern African country partly on the disruption to farming operations caused by the drive, which is aimed at correcting colonial-era inequities in land ownership.
The farmers were given hope last Wednesday when a High Court issued a decision that a mortgaged farm may not be seized if the mortgage company had not been properly informed of the government plans.
They are also awaiting President Mugabe's speech today, an annual event to commemorate liberation war heroes who died during and after the 1970s war of independence.
The US government said in a statement on Saturday that it recognised the need for genuine land reforms in Zimbabwe and would support a rational and equitable programme.
"Regrettably, the current campaign of forced expulsions and violent property seizures takes Zimbabwe in the opposition direction," it added.
"Credible reports of senior political and security figures assuming ownership of expropriated commercial farms further reveals the cynicism of Mugabe's so-called land reform programme," said Mr Philip Reeker, a State Department spokesman.