Campbell case postponed again

Farmer Michael William Campbell was told last Tuesday that the office of the Tribunal’s Registrar, which was tasked with the responsibility of serving the summons, was unable to provide proof of service of the notification on the respondents, cited as the Zimbabwe Government President’s office and the Attorney General’s office.

The Tribunal said in a statement: All attempts are being made to set the matter down for December 4.

Campbell’s lawyers told The Zimbabwean that the Tribunal had informed him that the summons on Mugabe could not be served because his fax machine was broken down, so there was no confirmation of receipt and the hearing could therefore not proceed.

Campbell is appealing against the grab of his property by militant thugs loyal to Mugabe. He is seeking an order compelling the thugs to stop forthwith interfering with operations at his Mount Carmel Farm.

Campbell asserts in his court papers that Mugabe’s land grab is racist, illegal and also ultra vires Article 6 of the SADC treaty which bars member states from

discriminating against any person on the grounds of gender, religion, race, ethnic origin and culture.

Zimbabwe has ratified the SADC treaty.

Campbell also wants the SADC Tribunal to rule that

Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No.17, empowering government to seize farms without compensation, was illegal.   

Campbell has also sought relief through the Supreme Court, which is sitting on his application since it reserved  judgment on the matter in March.

Commercial Farmer’s Union boss Ben Freethe said: Whether there is something behind this we don’t know. Whether it’s just incompetence we don’t know. But the fact is they seem to be delaying the case.

A business analyst, declining to be named said: There seems to be complicity between the government and the SADC Tribunal. Are they saying they cannot enforce the law? Surely they cannot condone such anarchy.