The long-running dispute over the ownership of Warwick Farm on the shores of Lake Chivero has taken a new twist after fresh documents emerged shedding light on a controversial transaction between former farm owner Timothy Johnson and businessman Nicholas Nyandoro, as the High Court continues to manage the complex legal battle over the property.
The matter, which is before Justice Joel Mambara under case number HCH131/26, was postponed to July.
The case involves the Trustees for the Timebeing of Lakeshore 2000 Trust as the applicants against Warwickshire (Private) Limited, businessman Nicholas Nyandoro, Michael Johnson, the Registrar of Deeds, the minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, the minister of Local Government and Public Works, the Registrar of Companies and the Sheriff for Zimbabwe.
The dispute centres on competing claims over Warwick Farm, where nearly 800 families settled under the land reform programme continue to face an uncertain future as ownership remains contested.
Court documents show the property was acquired and gazetted by the Government in 2000 under General Notice 418A of 2000 and again in 2014 under General Notice 288 of 2014.
Records indicate that the then owner, Johnson, agreed to an arrangement under which Warwick Farm was subdivided, with Johnson retaining Subdivision One measuring 367,5 hectares while approximately 462,5 hectares was allocated to beneficiaries of the land reform programme.
However, investigations by Standard People have uncovered documents suggesting that, while the land reform process was unfolding, Johnson entered into a private transaction with Nyandoro involving Warwick Farm and Astra Paints, raising fresh questions over how ownership of the property subsequently changed hands.
Documents in our possession show that the transaction, concluded in 2003, was valued at Z$100 million and formed part of a broader agreement involving Astra Industries Limited.
In a letter dated August 25, 2003, Johnson outlined the terms of the agreement, which included the transfer of 160 000 Astra Industries shares and an undertaking by Nyandoro to make good any shortfall in the agreed purchase price.
The correspondence also revealed Johnson's concerns that beneficiaries of the land reform programme could react negatively if they discovered the transaction.
"Nick, I am very concerned about how much aggression we may experience if Mr Chabata thinks I have cheated him," Johnson wrote.
He suggested that they should "sort out the players" before details of the agreement became public.
"It is a difficult one, and to some extent I can deny any deal having been done, but in the end the news will probably ooze out and we could be faced with much unpleasantness unless we have sorted out the players."
The contents of the correspondence have intensified scrutiny of the circumstances under which Warwickshire (Private) Limited eventually emerged as the company claiming ownership of the farm.
Sources familiar with the matter allege that while the redistribution process was underway, Johnson and Nyandoro simultaneously restructured Warwickshire (Private) Limited, transforming it from white ownership to indigenous ownership.
Johnson, who still resides in Harare, declined to comment when contacted.
Residents at Warwick Farm said they had hoped Johnson would publicly explain the circumstances surrounding the ownership changes.
"He feels it's time he reveals the truth," one resident said.
Despite court records and official gazetting notices indicating that Warwick Farm is state land, sources familiar with the proceedings say lawyers representing several government departments are now considering adopting a different legal position.
According to the sources, legal representatives acting for the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, and the Registrar of Companies recently sought additional time to regularise their position before the High Court.
The development has reportedly sparked concern among parties to the dispute, as it could significantly alter the direction of the case.
"There is a serious dilemma because documents already filed before the court indicate that the land is state land, but there is now a move to align with a position that Warwick Farm is private property," said a source close to the proceedings.
"If that position is eventually adopted, it will inevitably raise questions about the accuracy and consistency of records previously relied upon by government departments."
Sources within the ministry confirmed that investigations into the matter are underway.