SADC tribunal to hear case of Zim farmers

THE regional tribunal of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will today hear the case of Zimbabwean farmer Michael Campbell and 77 other farmers who turned to the regional institution to stop their government expropriating their farms.

The SADC tribunal hearing, which is set for three days, has been postponed twice already and since the May postponement Campbell, his 66-year-old wife Angela and son-in-law Ben Freeth (38) have been attacked on their family farm and brutally beaten, sustaining serious injuries. The injuries prevented 76-year-old Campbell from travelling to Namibia to attend the three-day session of the SADC tribunal in the Windhoek Supreme Court.The landmark case is the first one brought before the SADC tribunal and has drawn strong international attention.The farmers charge that Zimbabwe’s ‘fast-track’ land reform programme is in violation of their rights as provided for in the SADC Treaty and Protocol.Campbell’s application contends that the land acquisition process “is racist and illegal” under a number of legal instruments, notably the SADC treaty and the African Union Charter.The SADC tribunal granted Campbell an interim relief order last December to remain on his farm and to continue farming.Most of the other 77 farmers, who joined Campbell’s case this year, were also granted interim relief, except two who are not living on their farm anymore.The injuries prevented 76-year-old Campbell from travelling to Namibia to attend the three-day session of the SADC tribunal in the Windhoek Supreme Court.The landmark case is the first one brought before the SADC tribunal and has drawn strong international attention.The farmers charge that Zimbabwe’s ‘fast-track’ land reform programme is in violation of their rights as provided for in the SADC Treaty and Protocol.Campbell’s application contends that the land acquisition process “is racist and illegal” under a number of legal instruments, notably the SADC treaty and the African Union Charter.The SADC tribunal granted Campbell an interim relief order last December to remain on his farm and to continue farming.Most of the other 77 farmers, who joined Campbell’s case this year, were also granted interim relief, except two who are not living on their farm anymore.