Mashwede Takes Air Force Of Zimbabwe To Court Over Falcon Golf Club Takeover Dispute
A dispute over control of Falcon Golf Club in Harare has spilled into the High Court after businessman Alex Elias ‘Mashwede’ Mashamhanda accused the Air Force of Zimbabwe of taking over the facility while the club was still in possession of the property.
Mashamhanda, who is a trustee of Falcon Golf Club, has filed an urgent application asking the court to return the golf course and its associated facilities to the club.
According to ZimLive, the Minister of Defence, the Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe and the Air Force have been cited as respondents.
Military Takeover Alleged
The businessman says the conflict became particularly serious on 5 September when two Air Force Group Captains, identified in the court papers as Kereke and Dube, arrived at the golf club.
According to Mashamhanda, the officers did not have the club’s permission to enter the premises and subsequently began making changes to the property.
He alleges that doors and ceilings were removed from buildings before the structures were repainted in colours associated with the Air Force.
The club further claims that employees were informed that the military had taken control of the premises and the property belonging to Falcon Golf Club.
Mashamhanda argues that the club was never removed through a court-sanctioned eviction process and had not voluntarily handed over the facility.
Air Force Holds Golf Tournament At Facility
The disagreement came into sharper focus a week later when the Air Force used the facility for the Zimbabwe Inter-Service Golf Team Championship on 12 September.
Mashamhanda claims the club’s members were unable to use the clubhouse and other amenities during the tournament.
The event was attended by representatives from Zimbabwe’s defence and security services, with the Air Force Commander delivering the keynote address.
The court papers also refer to a plaque at the facility indicating that the golf course had been officially opened by the Air Force Commander, with the facility being referred to as the “Airforce Falcon Golf Club”.
Mashamhanda disputes the Air Force’s authority to present the property in that manner, maintaining that Falcon Golf Club had not surrendered either the premises or the developments it had made there.
Club Cites Lease Running To 2070
At the centre of the dispute is the club’s claim that it has a longstanding lease with the City of Harare.
The agreement dates back to June 1971 and, according to Falcon Golf Club, runs until 29 June 2070.
Over the years, the club says it developed the site into a functioning golf facility, including the course, clubhouse, manager’s residence and other amenities.
Mashamhanda estimates that the improvements are worth more than US$2 million, although the club is still having the property formally valued.
Defence Land Declaration Under Challenge
The dispute also relates to the government’s decision to place the land under the control of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
The Defence Ministry gazetted Statutory Instrument 210 of 2025, declaring the relevant property a cantonment.
However, Falcon Golf Club’s position is that the designation did not automatically bring its lease to an end or give the military authority to evict the club without following the appropriate legal process.
Mashamhanda says the club remained in occupation after the notices concerning the land were issued and continued to possess the property peacefully until the events of September.
Club Wants Possession Restored
The businessman says the club tried to settle the dispute outside court and sought discussions with the Air Force leadership before launching the legal challenge.
Those efforts, according to the application, did not prevent the situation from escalating.
Falcon Golf Club is asking the High Court to restore its possession of the golf course, clubhouse, employee accommodation and other facilities while the broader dispute is resolved.
Mashamhanda argues that a party claiming ownership or control of land cannot simply remove another party that is in peaceful possession without first following the applicable eviction procedures.
The club has asked for the matter to be treated as urgent, arguing that the continued occupation of its facilities could result in additional financial losses.
The application is yet to be heard by the High Court.
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