Banker Nicholas Vingirai has expressed his gratitude to President Mnangagwa for expediting the return of his two farms, Doondo and Sholliver, in Mashonaland West province.
These farms were acquired by the State in 2005 under disputed circumstances.
The Government had previously determined that the acquisition was improper and had ordered the farms’ restoration to their rightful owner.
Recently, High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi issued a ruling, with the consent of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, along with the Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, officially facilitating the return of the properties.
Mr. Vingirai was legally represented by Mr. Tawanda Zvobgo of Zvobgo Attorneys.
The High Court found that the acquisition of the farms was unlawful and erroneous. It further ruled that the compulsory acquisition process, including its official registration by the Minister of Lands and the Registrar of Deeds, was null and void. Consequently, the court set aside all related endorsements.
Additionally, the ruling reaffirmed that Mr. Vingirai and his companies, Broxfield Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd and Doondo Farm (Pvt) Ltd, remain the rightful owners of the farms. The Registrar of Deeds was instructed to remove any existing endorsements or caveats affecting the title deeds, which has since been confirmed through consent numbers 278/2025 and 279/25.
Reflecting on the ruling, Mr. Vingirai described the two-decade-long legal battle as a painful journey toward justice. He expressed appreciation for the Government’s commitment to its 2015 decision to return the farms, despite persistent obstacles caused by certain corrupt officials.
“I am deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, and his Government for stepping in to resolve the bureaucratic delays that prolonged this process,” he said.
The farms were originally seized in 2005 following allegations of financial misconduct against Mr. Vingirai. However, he was later cleared of all charges. Government-commissioned investigations subsequently confirmed that the acquisitions had been improper.
In 2020, the Second Republic enacted Statutory Instrument 62 of 2020, allowing for the restitution or compensation of land to indigenous Zimbabweans who had lost property during the Fast-Track Land Reform Programme. The policy applied to Zimbabwean-born individuals who had acquired farms through purchase or state programs before 1980 and had been historically marginalized.
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