A legal battle has erupted in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, between Provincial Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira and widow Farai Mazenge Mutsetse. The dispute centers on an 8-hectare plot where Chadzamira started building a school after taking control of the land.
The case became more complex when important documents about Mutsetse's property vanished from City Council files. Only a house plan remained. Mutsetse filed a High Court application last month through her lawyers, Dube Banda Nzarayapenga. They plan to prove that the City Council and Chadzamira worked together to take away her property rights.
The history shows Mutsetse as the rightful holder of the property for 15 years. This marks the second time Chadzamira has taken property from a widow. Back in 2016, he claimed a mansion and farm called Cresta Ibeka from 66-year-old Yvonne Goddard, leaving her homeless. That farm, located 10 kilometers from Mutsetse's plot, has seen its production drop since then.
Mutsetse kept her own copies of all documents at home. These papers trace the plot's history from 1998 and include records of her water bills, rates, and other charges - all paid up to date. She wants the court to stop construction on her land and remove Chadzamira. The property serves as both her home and a place for her livestock.
The legal papers describe her deep emotional pain from losing her family property. Chadzamira claims he bought the plot from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. But he hasn't shown any proof of ownership when asked by Mutsetse's lawyers.
The construction has already hurt Mutsetse's farming activities by taking up cattle grazing land. She still doesn't know which company handles the building work.
The case names four defendants: Chadzamira, Masvingo City Council's Housing Director, the Local Government Minister, and the City Council itself. Local sources suggest the Council got involved in Chadzamira's private matters, and taxpayers might end up paying large legal fees because of this decision.
The case became more complex when important documents about Mutsetse's property vanished from City Council files. Only a house plan remained. Mutsetse filed a High Court application last month through her lawyers, Dube Banda Nzarayapenga. They plan to prove that the City Council and Chadzamira worked together to take away her property rights.
The history shows Mutsetse as the rightful holder of the property for 15 years. This marks the second time Chadzamira has taken property from a widow. Back in 2016, he claimed a mansion and farm called Cresta Ibeka from 66-year-old Yvonne Goddard, leaving her homeless. That farm, located 10 kilometers from Mutsetse's plot, has seen its production drop since then.
Mutsetse kept her own copies of all documents at home. These papers trace the plot's history from 1998 and include records of her water bills, rates, and other charges - all paid up to date. She wants the court to stop construction on her land and remove Chadzamira. The property serves as both her home and a place for her livestock.
The legal papers describe her deep emotional pain from losing her family property. Chadzamira claims he bought the plot from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. But he hasn't shown any proof of ownership when asked by Mutsetse's lawyers.
The construction has already hurt Mutsetse's farming activities by taking up cattle grazing land. She still doesn't know which company handles the building work.
The case names four defendants: Chadzamira, Masvingo City Council's Housing Director, the Local Government Minister, and the City Council itself. Local sources suggest the Council got involved in Chadzamira's private matters, and taxpayers might end up paying large legal fees because of this decision.
