SOUTHERN REGION NEWS

Court back Mugabe land reforms

HARARE, December 04 -- Zimbabwe's Supreme Court has ruled that President
Robert Mugabe's land reform programme complies with the constitution.

The Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), which represents the majority of white
farmers, said the decision taken on Monday was expected and confirms an
interim decision taken by the court last month.

The ruling removes the last remaining legal obstacle preventing the
government from processing claims to white-owned farms.

Zimbabwe's land reform programme has been marred by violence since
government supporters, calling themselves war veterans, began occupying
white farms 18 months ago demanding that they be redistributed to landless
blacks.

An estimated 1,700 white-owned farms have been occupied over the past 18
months, and police have largely failed to stem the accompanying violence.

Last year the Supreme Court ordered the government to end violence on white-
owned farms. But three new judges have been appointed by President Mugabe
since then.

Last month, the country's Land Acquisition Act was amended so that white
farmers could be forced off their land with immediate effect.

Zimbabwe's economy is already in crisis, blamed largely on the land reform
programme, which has massively disrupted farming activities.

The World Food Programme is due to begin a huge relief operation this month
to feed over 500,000 Zimbabweans who face hunger or starvation.

Zimbabwe's president is also coming under increasing pressure to hold free
and fair presidential elections due by March next year.

South African President Thabo Mbeki's patience is reported to have worn
thin after growing increasingly frustrated with the worsening political and
economic situation in Zimbabwe. But South Africa remains opposed to
sanctions.

The United States is expected to impose targeted sanctions on Zimbabwean
leaders this week. And Europe is moving towards similar sanctions by the
end of January.

Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, expressed his support for
his successor's tougher stance, saying it is not too late to ensure a fair
election in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe's leading state-owned newspaper, the Herald, has accused Mr Mbeki
of betraying President Mugabe and joining a Western plot to overthrow him. -
 bbc


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