Zimbabwe Supreme Court bans government's land reform program

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Zimbabwe's Supreme Court said Friday that the government's land reform plan and the occupations of white-owned farms were illegal - a ruling that poses a serious challenge to President Robert Mugabe.

In the past, Mugabe has indicated that he will go ahead with a plan to seize white-owned land for redistribution among landless blacks, no matter what. Government officials were not available for comment after the ruling Friday evening.

The five judges also ordered police ''to use all means and authority available'' to end the occupations of 1,700 white-owned farms by ruling party militants.

Police have ignored previous court orders to remove the occupants. The Supreme Court ruling said police commanders could be charged for contempt if they do not obey the new order within 48 hours.

Six farmers have been killed and dozens of farm workers beaten since the occupations began in February. The occupations have disrupted farming, raising fears for food shortages.

Authorities plan to seize 3,000 white-owned farms by the end of the year under Mugabe's ''fast track'' land reform plan, which began in June. According to law, the government must assess how much land improvements, such as irrigation and roads, on the farms are worth, and pay accordingly. It doesn't have to pay for the land.

The Supreme Court said the government has failed to carry out the assessments, and it has failed to give landowners three months notice of the takeovers, as legally required.

David Hasluck, head of the Commercial Farmers Union, which represents Zimbabwe's white farmers, said he was ''absolutely delighted'' with the Supreme Court order.

Zimbabwe's independent court system has often issued rulings declaring government moves illegal. Ruling party legislators have called for the resignation of all five Supreme Court judges.

Opponents accuse Mugabe of using land seizures to improve his diminishing popularity. His ruling party won parliamentary elections held in June, while the main opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change won 57 of 120 elected seats. Mugabe's party controlled all but three seats in the previous parliament.