Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE, DPA) Germans fume over farm seizures

COMMENT - The germans are just afraid that land reform will spread to Namibia.

Germans fume over farm seizures
by Deutsche Presse Agentur
17/06/2010 00:00:00

THE German embassy in Zimbabwe has objected to settlers occupying three farms owned by a German national in the country, warning in a letter released on Thursday that the actions violate bilateral and international agreements.

"Once again, the German embassy notes with great concern that property rights of German nationals and their investments in Zimbabwe are being put under threat, in clear violation of international law," the letter read.

It went on to say that Germany's contribution to a trust fund set up for Zimbabwe may be in jeopardy, as news of land invasions affecting its citizens would make German parliamentary approval of the funds "highly unlikely."

Zimbabwean authorities must "take the necessary steps to ensure an immediate end of all threats to the ... German investments," it added.

Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi confirmed that he had received the letter, but declined to comment.

"(The letter) was addressed to me and not to the media," he said. "Protocol issues are not discussed through the media."

Over the last decade, most of the farms owned by whites in Zimbabwe have been occupied and seized under President Robert Mugabe's land reform programme. - dpa

Labels: GERMANY, LAND REFORM, NAMIBIA

posted by MrK @ 3:14 PM