Felix Munyaradzi’s Firm Loses Property Battle to Harare Resident

The High Court has ruled in favour of Harare resident Cephas Tapiwa Muneri, affirming him as the legitimate holder of rights and interests in a disputed stand at Haydon Park, following a long-running legal wrangle with Delatfin Civil Engineering and controversial developer Felix Munyaradzi.

In a judgment handed down on September 8, Justice Siyabona Musithu confirmed that Muneri is the lawful owner of Stand 1650, Haydon Park, Sandton, which measures 1,097 square metres. The court also barred Delatfin and Munyaradzi from repossessing the property.

“The applicant is hereby declared the lawful holder of rights and interests in Stand Number 1650 Haydon Park, Sandton,” ruled Justice Musithu. “The attempt by the first and second respondents to repossess the stand from the applicant is hereby declared unlawful.”

Muneri purchased the stand in 2017 via Rawson Properties before formalising the agreement with Delatfin Civil Engineering, represented by Munyaradzi. He settled all payments, including a US$650 regularisation fee to Zvimba Rural District Council, and has occupied the property since that year.

However, in December 2024, Muneri was stunned when a public notice surfaced threatening repossession unless he paid for the stand again at US$55 per square metre.

Delatfin argued that it never received the initial payment, alleging that funds had been siphoned off by rogue employees, including convicted fraudster Saymore Mutakura.

Muneri maintained he had dealt directly with Munyaradzi, who personally signed the contracts, and accused the company of trying to extort him. “The alleged fraud was an internal issue for the first respondent to resolve with its employee. I cannot be forced to buy the property twice,” he argued.

Justice Musithu dismissed Delatfin’s defence, noting that Munyaradzi had signed the agreements himself and never took legal steps to annul them.

“Merely denying their legality in an opposing affidavit did not have the desired effect of nullifying them,” the judge said. “The first respondent’s arguments were ill-conceived for as long as no attempt was made to have the agreements declared null and void.”

The court concluded that Muneri had a clear and substantial interest in the stand and that his rights were under unlawful threat of repossession.

Zvimba Rural District Council was ordered to register Muneri as the rightful owner, while Delatfin was directed to pay his legal costs.

This judgment adds to the growing list of disputes in Zimbabwe’s land sector, where residents often face double allocations, fraudulent transactions, or repossession threats years after securing properties.