Zanu-PF benefactor's farm grab saga exposes govt

A land dispute involving prominent businessman Billy Rautenbach has sparked allegations of corruption and political interference, with war veterans accusing the Local Government and Lands ministries of attempting to forcibly take over Springs Farm in Goromonzi despite a standing court ruling in their favour.

Five war veterans — among them former Chitungwiza mayor Joseph Macheka, father to the late Morgan Tsvangirai's wife Elizabeth — have occupied the farm for 25 years and say they have invested heavily in its development. The property also houses 2024 National Young Farmer Award winner Unico Chikomo, son of a late liberation war veteran, as well as Retired Major Alfred Chademana. All three are among those resisting the takeover.

In July, the group secured a High Court judgment barring Rautenbach from evicting them. However, despite that ruling, the Ministries of Local Government and Lands have reportedly continued facilitating the farm's transfer to the businessman.

The controversy deepened when Lands Minister Anxious Masuka withdrew the war veterans' offer letters to clear the way for Rautenbach's allocation. After losing the matter in court, Masuka filed for rescission of the judgment, arguing that he had not been given adequate time to present opposing papers. The rescission application is yet to be heard.

Meanwhile, the war veterans — represented by lawyer and politician Professor Lovemore Madhuku — accuse Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe of facilitating Springs Farm's handover through a compensation arrangement tied to land in Marimba, Harare. According to a letter dated March 14, 2025, Garwe offered Rautenbach two portions of Springs Farm measuring over 1 000 hectares as compensation for 180 hectares in Aspindale and Lochinvar previously allocated to housing cooperatives.

Despite ongoing court disputes, it is alleged that government has gone ahead and offered title deeds to Rautenbach — a move described by the farm occupiers as unlawful and grossly disproportionate in value.

Court records show Rautenbach was previously barred from claiming ownership of the Marimba property. In June 2019, Justice Philda Muzofa nullified a ministry decision that attempted to evict a cooperative legally allocated land at Aspindale.

The Lands and Local Government ministries say Springs Farm has been earmarked for urban development. However, War Veterans Minister Monica Mavhunga intervened, writing to Garwe in August 2024 urging government to give war veterans first preference should the farm be converted to residential use. She said veterans had made significant agricultural investments and should lead any redevelopment initiative.

Sources say the beneficiaries have already registered a development company — Sovereign Spring Properties — and are pushing ahead with plans for a private real estate venture named Spring Valley Luxury Estate. The proposed development includes penthouses, stand-alone homes, apartments, a shopping mall, and an 18-hole golf course.

Efforts to take physical control of the farm reportedly failed after war veterans mounted strong resistance when teams allegedly linked to Rautenbach attempted to occupy the property.

The dispute now hinges on the pending court application. Until it is resolved, the war veterans vow they will not surrender the land they say they fought for — nor allow its transfer to proceed outside due legal process.