Joe O'Toole (Independent)

On a radio show last Sunday morning I talked to a white Zimbabwean farmer — or Rhodesian farmer, as we would have referred to him previously — who employs 150 people. He spoke about the reign of terror at play there and about the abductions, kidnappings and beatings. He spoke freely and expressed his disappointment at the western world. He talked about Archbishop Tutu asking for military intervention and supported that request. He talked about President Mbeki letting the people down, he having been supported by Zimbabwe when he fought for rights in his own country many years ago.

Two hours after this man finished answering questions from me on issues such as sanctions and other matters on the telephone, he was abducted from his farm. He was beaten, his mother-in-law and father-in-law were taken with him and they were tortured. I have left on the Cathaoirleach's desk a photograph of him lying in a coma in a Harare hospital. This is work of the man whose success is now being feted, hugged and feasted in Egypt.