Legal analysis of farmland expropriation in Namibia

Legal analysis of farmland expropriation in Namibia

Legal opinion on the expropriation of commercial farmland, focusing on the terms ‘national interest’ and ‘just compensation’. 1 Introduction 2 The right to property (Article 16 (1) of the Namibian Constitution) 3 Expropriation for public interest (Article 16 (2) of the Namibian Constitution) 3.1 Public interest under international law 3.2 Public interest under South African and comparative constitutional law 3.3 Application of international and comparative criteria to Namibian law 3.3.1 Expropriation of under-utilised land 3.3.2 Expropriation of excessive land 3.3.3 Expropriation of land owned by foreigners 3.3.4 Expropriation of absentee landlords’ land 3.3.5 Expropriation on the basis of mistreatment of workers 3.4 Limitation of fundamental rights and freedoms (Article 22 of the Namibian Constitution) 3.5 Summary of expropriation for public interest 4 Just compensation 4.1 Compensation in terms of the Namibian Constitution and the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act 4.2 Compensation according to international law 4.3 Compensation according to South African law 4.4 Application of the criteria to Namibian law 4.4.1 Market value 4.4.2 Expropriation-related inflation and deflation 4.4.3 Balancing test 4.4.4 Compensation of foreigners 5 Manner and time of payment 6 Procedure 7 Conclusion

Christina Treeger

http://www.nid.org.na/images/pdf/analysis_views/Legal_analysis_of_farmland_expropriation_in_Namibia.pdf

Namibia Institute for Democracy & Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

2004

© Namibia Institute for Democracy & Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

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