Court foils Masuka's land grab for Mnangagwa pal Rautenbach

A Zimbabwean High Court judge halted Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka's attempt to remove war veterans from Springs Farm in Goromonzi district. Justice Regis Dembure determined that Masuka acted irrationally when withdrawing land offer letters from five veterans to accommodate businessman Billy Rautenbach. The court found that Masuka failed to consider the veterans' representations or acknowledge their long-term residence and the improvements to their farm. Rautenbach maintains close ties with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and has financially supported the ruling Zanu PF party for years. The judge dismissed the permanent secretary's opposing court papers, stating that only the minister possessed the authority to respond to the legal challenge and must personally justify his land redistribution decisions.