A Harare provincial magistrate has declined to arbitrate a protracted ownership dispute within war veterans’ investment vehicle Zevic Penrose (Pvt) Ltd, ruling that land allocation falls exclusively under the Ministry of Lands.
Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki said the court would not determine which of the rival factions is legitimate, noting the existence of multiple competing company structures and filings.
Zevic has splintered into three factions: one led by Joel Samuel Siyangapi Muzhamba Khumalo, another under Israel Gada, and a third — Zevic Penrose Tagarika Investments — headed by secretary-general and chief executive Michael Changadzo. The Changadzo-led group currently holds an offer letter and recently received the official housing site plan from government authorities.
Mutendereki made the remarks while delivering judgment in a fraud and forgery case involving Muzhamba Khumalo (82), Clifford Rutsate (72), also known as Sando Kano, and Changadzo (67).
The trio was reported by former treasurer-general Deliwe Mubvuti, who alleged they forged company documents (CR6 forms), removed her as a director and signatory, and withdrew US$13 000 from a company account.
“The matter before this court is not to endorse which faction of Zevic is the rightful one,” Mutendereki said. “It is common cause that the company has multiple factions and competing CR6 filings.”
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The court dismissed the forgery allegations, citing inconsistencies arising from the existence of multiple company records. However, it found that the accused misrepresented themselves to facilitate the withdrawal of funds.
Evidence showed that Mubvuti and Gada were still directors and signatories at the time of the transactions, yet bank withdrawal slips bore only the signatures of Mandaza, Muzhamba Khumalo and Rutsate. The court also noted that only one board resolution authorised the withdrawals.
“It is the court’s view that the trio misrepresented themselves to FBC Bank and withdrew US$13 000,” Mutendereki ruled.
In sentencing, the State — represented by prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawo — invoked provisions of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Criminal Procedure (Sentencing Guidelines) Regulations, 2023, which discourage custodial sentences for elderly offenders.
The magistrate sentenced the trio to eight months’ imprisonment, with four months suspended on condition of good behaviour and the remaining four months suspended on condition they restitute US$13 000 by June 12 through the Clerk of Court at the Harare Magistrates Court.
The funds will be held by the court pending verification of the company’s legitimate bank account.
Speaking outside court, Changadzo accused rivals of attempting to sideline his faction for personal gain.
“The plot was to have us incarcerated so that some comrades without an offer letter could sell the land to private developers during our absence,” he said.
He urged stand holders with original 2023 documentation to regularise their allocations at the Nyabira site, adding that the project was intended to benefit war veterans, their families and ordinary citizens in line with government housing objectives.
The Zevic dispute remains unresolved, with multiple cases still before the courts, including in the High Court, as factions continue to battle for control of the Nyabira housing project.