CIVIL rights group Afriforum yesterday won a court bid to sue Zimbabwe's government over its "cruel" and "revengeful" expropriation of South African-owned farms.

CIVIL rights group Afriforum yesterday won a court bid to sue Zimbabwe's government over its "cruel" and "revengeful" expropriation of South African-owned farms.

Speaking outside the Pretoria high court after a ruling that the initiative could serve papers on Zimbabwe, legal representative Willie Spies said it was the first step in recognising the rights of South African citizens in the Southern African Development Community.

"I am relieved because to a large extent we played a part in developing our law. The high court has recognised the rights of parties to the SADC tribunal processes to enforce those processes within South African territory."

In 2008 the SADC tribunal ruled that Zimbabwe's land reform was illegal and racist, and that those who had suffered discrimination by having their farms expropriated had the right to compensation.

Spies said the SA government attempted "to a large extent" to intervene, but to little avail.

Afriforum will on February 23 approach the court to force Zimbabwe and SA to register and recognise the SADC tribunal's ruling on land reform. - Sapa