Ex- Zanu PF bigwig clings to seized Zipra properties

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A former Zanu PF top official has claimed that the Zipra Liberation War Ex-Combatants Committee has no locus standi to demand the return of properties seized by the government in the 1980’s.

According to Dickson Dzora, a former Zanu PF director of administration, the applicants had no legal basis to demand the properties over three decades later after they were seized by the government.

Zipra Liberation War Ex-Combatants Committee leader Frederick Charles Moses Mutanda and Ben Ncube filed an application at the High Court last month against four firms that were allegedly allocated some of the properties.

In their application, they sought a court interdict stopping the firms from running the said properties.

Zipra Liberation War Ex-Combatants Committee, Mutanda and Ncube are the applicants while Betterbrands Construction (PVT) Limited, Chaminuka Estates (PVT) Limited, Broadhaven Construction (PVT) Limited and the Environmental Management Agency are cited as respondents respectively.

Zipra was the armed wing of Zapu during the armed struggle against British white minority rule. In his opposing affidavit, Dzora said the applicants had no legal basis to claim the properties.

"It is described as a committee,” Dzora said.

“It is not a person nor can be, given the rendition of its standing.

“Applicant has no valid standing at law.”

Dzora, who was sacked as the ruling party’s director of administration over corruption charges in January this year, submitted his opposing affidavit as Chaminuka Estates director.

“It is not an association or the like groupings which can sue in own name. First applicant is not an association of persons,” he said.

“It is a committee for an association of persons. It does not qualify to sue in its name as contemplated for associations in the Rules of Court.”

Zipra had several properties seized by government under Unlawful Organisation Act under (Caveat number 15 of 82) in the 80s.

Government alleged that it had discovered arms caches at some of the properties, precipitating the Gukurahundi mass killings that claimed 20 000 lives.

Zipra veterans bought several properties across the country with contributions from their demobilisation pay-outs.

The matter is pending at the courts.

The ex-combatants have been pushing for the release of the properties such as farms and buildings listed as caveats in the tittle deeds, but without success.

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