Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
Evictions in the Harare suburb of Msasa Park are ongoing following the conclusion of multiple court proceedings affirming the private ownership of Msasa Park (Private) Limited.
The property, Stand 560 Chadcombe Township, measuring approximately 280 hectares, is privately owned by Msasa Park (Pvt Ltd) under Certificate of Consolidated Title No. 1939/90.
The landowner initiated a regularisation process in 2023, offering residents the opportunity to buy the stands at a subsidised rate of US$15 per square metre.
A group of residents, made up of Ms Paina Machidza and about 800 others, challenged this process, claiming that the land had been donated to them and that they should not pay.
High Court Judge Justice Emilia Muchawa dismissed the residents’ claim, ruling that individuals have no legal standing to assert ownership of donated land.
Following the dismissal, the residents filed additional applications at the High Court and Supreme Court, which were all dismissed.
The landowner subsequently filed for summary judgment, granted by Justice Never Katiyo in July 2025, leading to the issuance of eviction notices.
A Supreme Court appeal filed by the residents was struck off in October 2025 for being defective.
The first phase of the eviction exercise affects 50 residents. Authorities reported that police were present to ensure the process proceeded safely.
In one instance, a resident named Onimus Mukau threatened officers with a gun but was quickly apprehended by the Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit.
One of the landowners Mr Farai Zuva said the exercise is aimed at regularising settlement and ensuring lawful ownership.
“Our objective is to ensure orderly development while allowing residents to benefit legally from their land,” Mr Zuva said.
