High Court Orders Ex-Minister To Vacate 40 Hectare Farm Within 7 Days, Brands Her Duplicitous And Dishonest

High Court Orders Former Minister Nyasha Chikwinya To Vacate Disputed Farm Within Seven Days

Former Minister Nyasha Chikwinya has been given a humiliating seven-day eviction order by the High Court, which branded her evidence unreliable and declared her claim to a prime 40-hectare piece of land in Goromonzi null and void.

High Court judge Justice Rodgers Manyangadze has ruled that the outspoken former Cabinet minister has no legal right to remain on the land, which is part of a larger 150.27-hectare parcel lawfully allocated to Mama Mafuyana Housing Co-operative for urban development. The court has authorised the Sheriff to evict Chikwinya if she fails to comply within the deadline.

Judge Slams Former Minister’s Dishonesty

The court did not hold back in its criticism of Chikwinya’s conduct throughout the legal saga, which has been dragging through the courts since 2003. Justice Manyangadze found that Chikwinya had been economical with the truth in her bid to hold onto the land.

“She concealed from the court the crucial fact that she had been compensated. The applicant is being duplicitous and dishonest,” the judgment read.

The court heard that authorities had already attempted to resolve the matter by offering Chikwinya alternative land measuring 84.027 hectares, plus an additional 10 hectares, “in full and final settlement” of her claims. Despite this, she clung to 40 hectares within the housing co-operative’s land.

Justice Manyangadze dismissed her testimony as riddled with inconsistencies, particularly regarding claims about a memorandum of understanding and alleged payments for the land. He stated:

“Considering all these factors cumulatively, the first defendant cannot be regarded as a credible witness.”

The judge pointed out that both the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Local Government, the key authorities responsible for land allocation, supported the housing co-operative’s claim and confirmed that Chikwinya’s original offer letter had been cancelled.

Housing Co-operative Wins Lengthy Battle

The dispute centres on land in Glen Forest, Goromonzi District, which had been earmarked for urban housing development. Mama Mafuyana Housing Co-operative presented approved layout plans and official documentation proving their valid allocation.

The court found the former minister’s claim particularly excessive given the circumstances.

“That she should get that much as an individual, against a housing co-operative with over a hundred subscribing members, is mind-boggling,” the judge said.

The ruling declared Chikwinya’s original offer letter for agricultural use “null and void” and clarified:

“The land in question was offered to the plaintiff for urban development. The first defendant was offered alternative land as compensation. She should confine herself to the boundaries of the land offered to her. That settles the matter.”

Chikwinya and anyone occupying the land through her must now vacate within seven days or face forced eviction. She was also ordered to pay the co-operative’s legal costs, although the court declined to impose punitive costs.

The ruling effectively clears the way for the housing co-operative to proceed with its urban development project, bringing relief to its over 100 subscribing members who have waited decades for resolution.