Mutumbuka gets back his house at last!

Zimbabwe's first Minister of Education, Dr. Dzingai Mutumbuka, has reclaimed ownership of his Chisipite residence following a protracted legal dispute stemming from a fraudulent title deed scheme.

High Court Judge Justice Nyaradzo Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa resolved the nearly three-year conflict on Wednesday, ruling that Mutumbuka remains the legitimate owner of the property located at 90 Harare Drive, Colney Valley, Chisipite. The judge ordered the current occupants, Demetria Zirenga and Harrison Marange, to vacate the property within 15 days of the ruling. Failure to comply will result in their eviction by the Sheriff.
Fraudulent Dealings Exposed

The residence's title deed was stolen from the Deeds Office by Lynna Mlambo, a supervisor, who passed it to her boyfriend, Tatenda "Shaft" Wakatama. Wakatama reportedly forged the title deed, inserted his name, and returned the fraudulent document to the Deeds Office. Using the fake deed, Jonah Ngome purportedly sold the house to Zirenga and Marange for a fraction of its value—US$92,000—with only US$45,000 paid upfront.

Justice Munangati-Manongwa declared Ngome's title deed "fake, fraudulent, invalid, and of no force and effect." She also instructed the Deeds Office to expunge any records indicating Ngome as the owner of the property.
Judicial Criticism and Ruling Highlights

In her ruling, Justice Munangati-Manongwa criticized Zirenga and Marange's legal representatives, Hope Ndanaka Tirivavi and Advocate Method Ndlovu, for pursuing a baseless case. Their application was dismissed with costs awarded to Mutumbuka, represented by Advocate Edley Mubayiwa.

The judge emphasized that Zirenga and Marange held only an agreement of sale and not a valid title deed. She further noted significant flaws in Ngome's fraudulent document, which lacked an official stamp, dates, or mortgage records.

Justice Munangati-Manongwa also questioned Ngome's absence throughout the legal proceedings, stating:

"Ngome, who claims to be the owner of the house through a title deed, has never been anywhere close to the courts to defend his property. His silence is an acceptance of the fraud associated with his deed."

Previous Controversial Ruling Overturned

This judgment overturns a prior order issued by Justice Webster Nicholas Chinamora, who granted Zirenga and Marange possession of the property in September 2023. Justice Chinamora has since resigned amid allegations of misconduct.
A Long-Awaited Resolution

Dr. Mutumbuka, a senior World Bank executive based in the United States, now regains rightful ownership of his residence. The case underscores the critical need for accountability and integrity within Zimbabwe's property and legal systems.