Popular Democratic Movement lost their court fight against a Russian businessman on Friday. Judge Orben Sibeya threw out PDM's case at Windhoek High Court. The party wanted to stop Rashid Sardarov's company from keeping four farms on a 99-year lease. Comsar Properties SA belongs to the Russian billionaire and operates from Switzerland. PDM argued that former land reform minister Utoni Nujoma made illegal decisions about the farm deal.
The disputed farms cover more than 17000 hectares east of Windhoek and north of Dordabis. Comsar Properties paid 43.4 million Namibian dollars to buy the land from previous farmers. The company gave the farms to government as a donation after the purchase. Government officials agreed to lease the same properties back to Comsar for 99 years. PDM lawyers claimed this arrangement broke land reform laws that limit foreign ownership.
Sardarov's business already controls three other farms totaling about 28000 hectares near the disputed area. The company bought those properties during 2012 and 2013 to create Marula Game Ranch. PDM accused the businessman of creating a scheme to avoid legal restrictions on foreign land control. Judge Sibeya heard arguments about the case during April last year. The court rejected all claims that PDM made against the government and Comsar Properties.
The disputed farms cover more than 17000 hectares east of Windhoek and north of Dordabis. Comsar Properties paid 43.4 million Namibian dollars to buy the land from previous farmers. The company gave the farms to government as a donation after the purchase. Government officials agreed to lease the same properties back to Comsar for 99 years. PDM lawyers claimed this arrangement broke land reform laws that limit foreign ownership.
Sardarov's business already controls three other farms totaling about 28000 hectares near the disputed area. The company bought those properties during 2012 and 2013 to create Marula Game Ranch. PDM accused the businessman of creating a scheme to avoid legal restrictions on foreign land control. Judge Sibeya heard arguments about the case during April last year. The court rejected all claims that PDM made against the government and Comsar Properties.
