Zimbabwean police have arrested a total of 277 white farmers since the start of a crackdown on those defying a deadline to leave their land to make way for black farmers.
A police spokesman said the figure was accurate as of yesterday afternoon. He could not say how many farmers were still in custody this weekend.
The government had ordered 2,900 white farmers to leave their homes by August 8th, but about 60 per cent of them ignored the demand.
Many of those arrested over the last 10 days have been released on bail, according to farmers' groups.
This week the United States criticised President Robert Mugabe's government, accusing it of a "land grab" that it said was sure to exacerbate Zimbabwe's current food crisis.
Aid agencies estimate that at least half the population will soon need food aid.
But Mr Mugabe struck back at his critics, accusing the United States and other western critics of a racist campaign to undermine his country's independence.
AFP