77 more Zim farmers appeal to tribunal

AN appeal by a Zimbabwean farmer to a regional tribunal to prevent President Robert Mugabe’s government from seizing his farm was postponed on Tuesday to allow for the hearing of 77 new applications by other Zimbabwean farmers.

Last December the tribunal granted Michael Campbell interim protection until the proper hearing of his case, which was set for four court days this week. Judge Luis Mondlane, who is the president of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal, heard arguments by Senior Counsel Adrian de Bourbon, who represents Campbell and now also the 77 new applicants.De Bourbon said the 77 other farmers were in the same situation as Campbell, since Zimbabwe changed its constitution to allow for farm expropriations without compensation.”The Tribunal now has to decide if the other 77 appeals will be heard together with that of Mr Campbell, that is why his case was postponed on Tuesday to May 28,” an official at the tribunal told The Namibian yesterday.”On Friday a ruling will be given on this.”Judge Luis Mondlane, who is the president of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal, heard arguments by Senior Counsel Adrian de Bourbon, who represents Campbell and now also the 77 new applicants.De Bourbon said the 77 other farmers were in the same situation as Campbell, since Zimbabwe changed its constitution to allow for farm expropriations without compensation.”The Tribunal now has to decide if the other 77 appeals will be heard together with that of Mr Campbell, that is why his case was postponed on Tuesday to May 28,” an official at the tribunal told The Namibian yesterday.”On Friday a ruling will be given on this.”