Land Challenge Acid Test for SADC Tribunal

Posted to the web 22 July 2008 The SADC Tribunal on land seizures in Zimbabwe is historic in that it is the first time that a case was brought before it. It is, however, questionable how the SADC state will abide by the tribunal's ruling. "My impressions of the last two days in the tribunal is that it was good to see the confidence and strength of the judges," said a frail and tired-looking Ben Freeth, one of the white commercial farmers in Zimbabwe who face eviction from their farms and are challenging that government's land acquisition process. "I almost broke out in tears on quite a number of moments to hear our case finally in court by impartial and objective judges. We have come to build a house and justice." Flanked by his father Zach Freeth, who has throughout the trial been very protective and supportive of his son,... [read full story]