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Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 2:37 AM
Subject: Namibian workers say to invade farms next week


Namibian workers say to invade farms next week


WINDHOEK, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Namibian farm workers will try to invade 15 commercial farms across the country next week after the government ignored their demands for land reform, the head of the Namibia Farmworkers Union (NAFWU) said on Tuesday.

NAFWU General Secretary Alfred Angula, said the move was not a land grab and the workers would share the land with the current owners and not damage or occupy property.

The majority of commercial farms in Namibia are white-owned, and most of the 15 farms planned for invasion are likely to be owned by white farmers.

The surprise announcement is likely to be greeted with concern in parts of the region, following the seizure of white-owned commercial farms in Zimbabwe for redistribution to landless blacks, a policy supported by President Robert Mugabe.

Angula said NAFWU was unhappy at the way farm workers and dwellers had been treated since Namibia's independence 13 years ago and said farm owners had unfairly dismissed, evicted and humiliated them.

Although land claims had been lodged with labour courts, justice had not prevailed, Angula said.

"Being black and poor, the law will always be against you as justice is for sale," Angula said at a news conference in the capital after the meeting of some 70 union delegates.

Namibia's agricultural sector -- dominated by beef exports to the European Union -- is second only to mining as the main engine of the economy.

Independent economists expressed concern about the effect of the invasions on foreign investment, while others said Namibia's ruling SWAPO party -- led by Mugabe ally President Sam Nuyoma -- had delayed land reform for too long.

"This is a clear indication of the frustration of rural people on government delay in implementing resolutions on land reform taken at last year's SWAPO conference," Robin Sherbourne, of the Namibian Institute of Public Policy Research said.

A government spokesman could not be reached for comment.



11/04/03 15:48 ET
    

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