HARARE - The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal has ordered the Zimbabwe government not to evict a black farmer from his property.Tembani who has been owning the farm since 1980, had appealed to the
court as he was due to be evicted on May 21 by the Agricultural Bank of
Zimbabwe (Agribank) which wanted to sell his farm to recover money he
owes the finance house.
Justice Ariranga Pillay, ruled that "No interference may take place
with the farmer’s peaceful stay on the farm," the judge said adding
that "nor may any eviction happen until the application is heard and
determined."
The government, which initially objected to the case, is yet to make a
response to the ruling. Harare has ignored previous rulings by the
regional court declaring its chaotic and often violent land reforms
racist and illegal under the SADC Treaty.
Trouble for Tembani arose after failing to make repayments when
interest rates soared in 1997. The judge said the Agribank had failed
to provide the exact amount which Tembani owed. The farmer had
requested the figures as he wanted to sell off a small portion of his
farm to clear the loan.
Last November, the SADC Tribunal ruled against Mugabe's land reforms,
saying 78 white farmers could keep their land because the scheme
amounted to racial discrimination.
But the government has ignored the ruling and continues to evict white
farmers while regional leaders appear unwilling or unable to confront
Mugabe over his refusal to abide by the Tribunal ruling.