Mutumwa hires lawyers to regain business empire
Business tycoon Mutumwa Mawere has engaged Gutu and Chikowero law firm to help him recover his lost business empire.
Mawere has been fighting to reclaim his assets including Shabani Mashaba Mines (SMM) that has all but collapsed under the administration of State-appointed Afaras Gwaradzimba.
The businessman lost his assets to government in 2005 following his specification under the Prevention of Corruption Act leading to the placement of his companies under the Reconstruction Act that deemed his businesses indebted to the State by virtue of owing money to parastatals.
This was prompted by allegations that Mawere had externalised large amounts of cash from the companies.
Lawyer Benjamin Chikowero confirmed the development and said his firm would be writing to the Home Affairs co-ministers to kick-start the legal process.
Chikowero said: “Mr Mawere was specified under the Prevention of Corruption Act which was used to take his assets. The argument is now that he has been de-specified, he wants his assets.
“We have been instructed to contact the Co-Ministers of Home Affairs on the matter. Without returning his assets, de-specification will be hollow.”
The law firm is famed for handling the Gilbert Muponda de-specification case.
Mawere and Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa have been engaged in a bruising fight over control of SMM since 2005.
However, several officials, including Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono, have called on the two to resolve their differences for the good of the Zvishavane community and surrounding areas devastated by the standoff.
Thousands of families have directly or indirectly been severely affected by the collapse of SMM and other companies owned by the business tycoon.
The businessman lost his assets to government in 2005 following his specification under the Prevention of Corruption Act leading to the placement of his companies under the Reconstruction Act that deemed his businesses indebted to the State by virtue of owing money to parastatals.
This was prompted by allegations that Mawere had externalised large amounts of cash from the companies.
Lawyer Benjamin Chikowero confirmed the development and said his firm would be writing to the Home Affairs co-ministers to kick-start the legal process.
Chikowero said: “Mr Mawere was specified under the Prevention of Corruption Act which was used to take his assets. The argument is now that he has been de-specified, he wants his assets.
“We have been instructed to contact the Co-Ministers of Home Affairs on the matter. Without returning his assets, de-specification will be hollow.”
The law firm is famed for handling the Gilbert Muponda de-specification case.
Mawere and Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa have been engaged in a bruising fight over control of SMM since 2005.
However, several officials, including Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono, have called on the two to resolve their differences for the good of the Zvishavane community and surrounding areas devastated by the standoff.
Thousands of families have directly or indirectly been severely affected by the collapse of SMM and other companies owned by the business tycoon.
