Stopping Factory Farms in Africa

Oswald Marondedze, LLM’25

Research paper on the legal standing requirements for farmed animal litigation in Zimbabwe

In many jurisdictions around the world, including the United States, legal standing i.e. the ability of a party to bring a case before the court, impedes the success of animal law cases. Oswald’s research paper from the Fall semester analyzed the legal standing requirements for farmed animal litigation in Zimbabwe, using a combination of constitutional, statutory, and case law frameworks. It highlighted how Zimbabwean law currently treats animals as non-persons, which restricts their ability to be represented in court. The paper explored different types of standing: constitutional, personal interest, public interest and associational, and argued that public interest standing offers the most promising path for advancing farmed animal protection in the country. In addition to analyzing the legal standing framework in Zimbabwe, the paper recommended codifying animal rights within the Constitution’s Bill of Rights and updating Zimbabwe’s substantive animal protection laws to allow for direct legal action.

Research paper on land use laws in Zimbabwe

During the Spring semester, Oswald conducted research on land use laws in Zimbabwe, specifically focusing on the dueling tensions between laws that have historically served to disadvantage farmers in Zimbabwe while also inadvertently slowing down the spread of industrial animal agriculture in the country, indirectly benefiting animal welfare. Here is how Oswald describes his project:

“Zimbabwe’s land policy has significantly shaped its political and socio-economic landscape, more than any other foreign or domestic policy. This paper critically examines specific land policies that have had a profound impact on animal agriculture. The study delves into the intricate relationship between land use regulation and animal well-being, unpacking the legal framework governing livestock and the agricultural sector. The objective of this paper is to contribute to a deeper comprehension of the intricate interplay between land policy and animal welfare.

Ultimately, the research aims to provide evidence-based policy recommendations that strike a balance between human development and animal welfare. By advocating for humane livestock management practices through zoning reforms, the study seeks to inform policy changes that promote sustainable and compassionate practices in the farmed animal industry.”