Anger as BAT Gives Tobacco Award to Mugabe Land Grabbers

Source from:  (Filed: 07/08/2005) telegraph.co.uk 08/08/2005

British American Tobacco has given an award for growing the plant to a couple accused of stealing a farm from its Zimbabwean owner. Monica Chinamasa, the wife of the justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, accepted the Z$25m (£500) prize at a BAT Tobacco Grower of the Year ceremony in Harare. Richard Yates told The Sunday Telegraph that the Chinamasas stole the farm from him in September 2003. "They virtually evicted me at gunpoint," he said. Mr Yates still has the title deeds to the 2,000-acre farm and although he was paid some compensation is still waiting for full payment. The prize has outraged politicians who believe that businesses such as the British-based multi-national, should avoid involvement with Zimbabwe due to its human rights abuses and land grabs under its president, Robert Mugabe. Last night BAT, whose deputy chairman is Ken Clarke, the Tory former chancellor, refused to apologise for its involvement. "It is not our place to say how that farm was acquired and whether we believe it to be right or not," said a spokesman. "We have no input in who is selected for the awards or who wins." Enditem