HARARE, May 8 (NewsDay Live) — A protracted and high-stakes corporate dispute over the US$50 million Forit Contracting empire has escalated to Zimbabwe’s High Court, setting the stage for a landmark ruling on ownership, inheritance, and corporate governance.
The matter, filed under case number HCHC65-24 in the Commercial Division, pits three siblings — Raphael, Takarwisa and Tirivanhu Kangai — against their stepfather, Itayi Madziyire, the current head of the company.
At the core of the dispute is a contested origin story. The Kangai siblings argue that their late mother, Juliet Mable Ziki-Kangai, co-founded Forit Contracting in 1994 through a capital injection that established a 50/50 partnership with Madziyire.
They contend that following her death in November 1998, they were systematically excluded from the business — denied both managerial participation and financial benefits, including dividends they claim are due to them as heirs.
Madziyire, however, maintains that the company is his sole enterprise, disputing both the alleged partnership structure and the applicants’ entitlement.
Represented by Dube, Manikai and Hwacha, the siblings are seeking a forensic audit of the company’s shareholding structure and financial records, as well as independent verification of its asset base and governance systems. They are also demanding payment of accrued dividends, grounded in what they argue is a clear equity stake.
Madziyire’s defence, led by constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, is expected to challenge the interpretation of historical agreements and the very foundation of the claimed partnership.
Amid concerns over delays, the applicants have escalated the matter beyond the courtroom, appealing to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and the Attorney-General’s Office to intervene. They allege a risk of asset stripping while proceedings are ongoing.
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“We are appealing to the relevant authorities to ensure transparency and prevent prejudice while the matter is before the courts,” Raphael Kangai said.
The court’s pending decision on whether to grant a forensic audit is now seen as pivotal. With significant financial interests and questions of legacy at stake, the outcome could redefine ownership rights and corporate accountability within Zimbabwe’s indigenous industrial sector.
