Expropriated Zimbabwe farmers sue SA Government

Expropriated Zimbabwe farmers have served notice of a R1.9bn claim against the South African Government for its ‘complicity’ in the fate of the former land owners. Rapport says this follows the Constitutional Court judgment in December that former President Jacob Zuma’s unlawful actions contributed to the disbandment of the SADC Tribunal which was the farmers’ last hope for compensation. The court held that Zuma had no right to sign a protocol in 2014 that stripped the Tribunal of most of its powers. The litigation has been initiated by 10 former land owners and the claim amount is for the value of their land, constitutional damages and general damages. The letter of demand and notice of litigation were served just days after the Constitutional Court judgment. The farmers are supported by AfriForum, whose chief executive, Kallie Kriel, says the claim is a ‘pressure mechanism’ to spur the SA Government into action to reinstate the Tribunal as soon as possible to avert future consequences on home soil.