HARARE – High Court judge Justice Regis Dembure has blocked the eviction of indigenous farmers from Springs Farm in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East Province, declaring the withdrawal of their offer letters grossly unreasonable, irrational, and illogical.
The ruling comes amidst controversy surrounding the farm’s allocation to Muller Conrad “Billy” Rautenbach’s Marimba Residential Properties Limited, a move widely perceived as dubious.
Rautenbach, an ally of Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was found to be in possession of Springs Farm’s title deeds even before the High Court case commenced, strongly suggesting underhanded dealings.
Justice Dembure’s decision to overturn Land and Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka’s eviction order was partly based on procedural flaws.
The judge found that the minister had failed to submit valid opposing papers to the court. The opposing application filed on the minister’s behalf by the ministry’s permanent secretary was deemed defective and thus a nullity.
Representing the farmers, prominent lawyer Lovemore Madhuku successfully argued that the permanent secretary lacked written authority to represent the minister.
Madhuku also cited a precedent from August 2024, where the High Court prevented Minister Masuka from arbitrarily withdrawing an offer letter from Chegutu businessman Christopher Rukawo, who had extensively developed his farm and maintained a herd of over 500 cattle.
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Controversy mounts as Rautenbach’s land allocation…Jul 16, 202531,459
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Controversy mounts as Rautenbach’s land allocation…
Mnangagwa accused as ally, Billy Rautenbach gains 1,000…Jun 17, 202535,932
Mnangagwa accused as ally, Billy Rautenbach gains 1,000…Jun 17, 202535,932
Mnangagwa accused as ally, Billy Rautenbach gains 1,000…
Source: Nehandaradio
