The mother of a man kidnapped and beaten in Zimbabwe has flown to be at his bedside when he faces a major operation.

Claire Freeth, from Sittingbourne, has flown to Harare where son Ben, 38, will have surgery to reduce swelling on his brain.

Along with his parents-in-law, Ben was kidnapped from the family farm on Sunday by aides of Robert Mugabe, who is demanding they give up their land and the farm they built.

Animals have been slaughtered, their power generators stolen and their food supplies cut off as warnings but on Sunday, they were viiolently attacked.

Ben’s wife Laura fled to safety with their three children and their passports while her parents, Angela, 71 and Mike Campbell, 75, were savagely beaten, bundled into a car and driven off.

Followed by Laura’s brother Bruce, the mob took them a short distance away from their home before drenching them in ice cold water and dumping them on the side of the road.

Ben and Mike are confronting the terror campaign head-on, by taking president Robert Mugabe to an international court.

They have bravely resisted bullying, violent and intimidating tactics to force them off the estate.

The mob which beat them at the weekend was demanding that they drop their case against Mugabe and sign their land and farm over.

Mrs Freeth said before she went on Wednesday morning: “There is a very good surgeon in Harare, so Ben will be operated on by him today (Wednesday).

“Laura went up on Tuesday night to be with him and see her mum and dad as well.

“She was so thrilled that I could come straight away, things were beginning to overwhelm her and she really felt I would give continuity for the children.

“I’m not sure what we will do for a vehicle but people are very kind and you do find there that everyone helps each other in a wonderful way.

“I asked what I could take with me and she said that her dad, has not one stitch of clothing left so could I take some bits.

“Everything electrical has also gone.

“So many People have asked what they can do to help and we are so grateful for their prayers.”