Crime and Courts
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.
A 35-year-old man from Village Zebediah under Chief Njelele has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the attempted rape of a minor.
The Gokwe Regional Magistrates’ Court convicted Kupakwashe Hore following an incident that occurred earlier this month.
The court heard that on April 5, 2026, at approximately 09:00 hours, Hore arrived at a local homestead and took the complainant away to a nearby field. The victim is a young girl aged between four and five years.
While in the field, the offender undressed the child and lowered his own trousers. A local villager arrived at the scene just in time to intervene, pushing Hore away and rescuing the girl.
The witness then took the child back to her mother.
A formal report was promptly filed at ZRP Gokwe. The victim was subsequently referred to Gokwe Hospital for a medical examination to assess any harm.
In a statement following the sentencing, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) emphasized the importance of the ruling.
“The conviction and sentence reflect the gravity of sexual violence and the commitment of the NPAZ to ensure that those who act unlawfully face the full might of the law,” the authority stated.
The NPAZ further noted that the safety and dignity of children within Zimbabwean communities remain paramount to the justice system.
South Africa’s National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, has been accused of receiving a R5 million bribe from businessman and football administrator Bobby Motaung.
The allegations were made on Sunday by suspended Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Daphney Manamela during a media briefing held in Mbombela.
Manamela alleged that the payment reportedly shared with Major General Botsotso Moukangwe was intended to block her return to office and halt the reopening of fraud and corruption investigations linked to Motaung.
The cases relate to a controversial tender involving the construction of Mbombela Stadium.
She further linked the matter to the 2010 killing of whistleblower Jimmy Mohlala, who had exposed alleged irregularities in the stadium project.
According to Manamela, purported confessions from Moukangwe support her claims.
Responding to the allegations, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe described them as serious and confirmed that they will be subjected to formal investigation.
As of now, neither Masemola nor Motaung has issued a public response. The claims have raised fresh concerns about accountability and integrity within the South African Police Service.
Chipinge – Police are searching for a 30-year-old suspect who fled after allegedly shooting three people in Chimanimani, triggering a nationwide appeal for information.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police identified the suspect as Francis Makuma Magirayano, who is wanted in connection with an attempted murder case linked to an incident that occurred on April 18, 2026. Authorities believe he had recently returned from South Africa.
It is alleged that Magirayano, who was driving a silver Toyota Fortuner (registration number JV 70 SM GP), opened fire following a dispute with his wife, 26-year-old Mercyline Mahembe. He reportedly shot her several times, injuring her cheek, hand, and thigh.
The suspect is also accused of shooting his sister-in-law in the leg and a shopkeeper at Kopa Business Centre during the same incident.
All three victims were rushed to hospital in Chipinge, where they are still receiving treatment.
Police say the suspect remains at large and are urging members of the public with any information on his whereabouts to contact the ZRP National Complaints Desk or report to the nearest police station.
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