Militants occupying white-owned farms earmarked for seizure by Zimbabwe President Mr Robert Mugabe's government have stepped up pressure on farmers reported to have been ordered off their land by the end of the month.
The state-owned
Sunday Mail
newspaper reported the first phase of fast-track land resettlement would be completed by the end of August, citing an interview with Agriculture Minister Mr Joseph Made.
The report said farmers had to vacate targeted properties immediately to allow new settlers to move in.
Farmers say the new settlers, led by self-styled 'war veterans', have already demarcated plots on farms across the country in an apparent response to the government statement.
"There is an increase of pressure on farmers, both physical and psychological," one Commercial Farmers Union member told Reuterstoday.
Twenty-one white farmers were charged with inciting violence after clashes on August 6th, with pro-government militants occupying their properties in the northwestern town of Chinhoyi.
The militants retaliated by burning and looting property.
Mr Made has given no statement since Sunday's newspaper report and was unavailable for comment today.