Court set to rule on Zim diamonds as white farmers mull compensation

WHITE farmers whose farms and several properties were seized by Zanu PF during the controversial land reform scheme might get a sigh of relief if the Belgium court rules in their favour during a court hearing this week.

The Belgium court which was approached by a US company which bought  diamond claims from frustrated farmers is set to rule whether the country's diamonds which were due to be auctioned there, will be attached to compensate white farmers.

The court case is being closely monitored by over 4 000 farmers who have been blocked from contesting land seizures locally and is the second claim against the $45 million worth of diamonds.

Zimbabwe's diamonds are under siege, in one of the first cases of litigation in the international arena over farm seizures.

The auction was to be one of the few international sales the country has held since the global diamond watchdog, the Kimberly Certification Process, lifted its ban on trade in Zimbabwe's gems and is desperate to win the case. A legal team has already been  dispatched to Belgium in preparation of the major court hearing.