A long-running company documents forgery case involving Zvimba East Veterans Investment Company (Zevic) took a dramatic turn last week after defence lawyer Leon Muringani withdrew from representing three accused directors, citing deep divisions, confusion and what he described as dishonesty among his own clients.
Appearing before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereke, Muringani formally applied to renounce agency for the accused directors — Jowel Muzhamba, Clifford Rutsate and Michael Changadzo — whom he has represented for more than two years.
In a rare and startling submission, Muringani told the court that he could no longer ethically continue acting for the accused due to irreconcilable differences, inconsistent instructions and what he described as falsehoods being presented to him.
Muringani submitted that he had reached a point where continued representation was no longer tenable.
The lawyer informed the court that the final breakdown came after the accused directors insisted on adding a new witness, Shingirai Siraha, whom Muringani said is allegedly implicated in the very company documents forgery at the centre of the case.
Muringani told the court that he was aware of the circumstances surrounding the proposed witness and could not, in good conscience, be part of a defence strategy that risked misleading the court.
He emphasised that despite representing the accused for over two years, the matter had not resulted in any judgement in their favour, further compounding the professional difficulties.
Mutendereke acknowledged the application, with the matter standing down to allow the accused directors to secure alternative legal representation.
The case will be heard on February 11.
The criminal forgery case, registered under case number 147/01/24, is nearing its conclusion. It centres on allegations that certain company documents, including a CR6 form, were fraudulently altered to remove a faction of directors from Zevic.
While the criminal proceedings continue, the rival faction of directors — whose removal from company records is alleged to have been illegal — has remained operational.
According to submissions made in court and information placed on record, this group continues to run company business from Zevic’s head office at No. 43 Dan Judson Road, New Milton Park, Harare.
They have also continued servicing company land allocated through offer letters issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, including sites at Penrose Chitangazuva in Nyabira and Porta Nharire along Bulawayo Road in Zvimba East. The faction recently acquired a front-end loader and a dumper truck for civil works at these locations.
In a further twist, the accused directors were recently served with an ex parte interdict issued by a civil court in Banket, barring them from accessing Zevic sites.
However, allegations have been made that the order was defied, raising possible contempt of court issues.
Separately, accused director Michael Changadzo was recently arrested following an appearance at the Rotten Row magistrates’ court.
He faces allegations linked to an incident in Nyabira in which he allegedly assaulted a security guard, Anna Solomon, and instructed his driver to run her over. The matter is still before the courts.
The divisions within the accused faction were further exposed through a public notice published in one of the local dailies by retired Muzhamba, announcing the expulsion of Changadzo from a board structure whose legitimacy is itself under dispute in the ongoing case.
One of the Zevic directors Solomon Nasho accused the splinter group of sabotaging unity efforts, saying the main company leadership had exercised restraint and patience in the interest of development and empowerment before resorting to the courts.
Speaking to Standard People, Nasho said the legitimate Zevic board had given the breakaway faction ample opportunity to realign with the company’s vision of empowering war veterans through transparent housing development.
“We gave them enough time and space to come back and work with others for the sake of development,” Nasho said.
“Zevic was formed to empower war veterans and provide decent accommodation to thousands of home seekers, not to fight endless internal battles.”
Nasho said the company was now moving forward with its mandate after years of delays caused by disputes and alleged document manipulation.
“We are ready to push our agenda,” he said. “Zevic has acquired adequate equipment to carry out housing development projects in a transparent and accountable manner, and we are focused on delivering tangible results on the ground.”
He said the company had continued servicing land allocated through government offer letters while court cases unfolded, adding that operations were being conducted openly and in line with the law.
“We allowed them enough rope,” Nasho said. “Unfortunately, they chose to use it against themselves.”
Nasho reiterated that Zevic’s leadership remained committed to lawful processes and would respect the outcome of the courts, particularly in the ongoing forgery case involving disputed company documents.
Another director Leonard Ncube encouraged prospective home seekers to engage Zevic, which is developing more than 6 000 residential stands across Zvimba East.
Observers say the withdrawal of legal counsel underscores the growing disunity and instability within the accused camp, even as the rival faction continues to operate and points to a string of court decisions already ruled in its favour.
The court is expected to give directions on how the accused directors will proceed without legal representation, as the forgery case edges closer to judgement.