The trial involving former cabinet minister Petronella Kagonye, who is suing 15 suspected land barons for allegedly invading her Cloverdale Farm in Ruwa, has officially begun before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo.
The accused individuals—Linda Mapfoche, Shelly Chapwanya, Odwell Mudzudza, Davren Chimhako, Joe Madziva, Webster Gonzo, James Chifamba, Togarepi Mudzudza, Charity Liver, Erick Mutumbi, Kambuto Taliban, Nyarugwe, Tindo Gokwe, Praise Gokwe, and Bamusi Magaisa—are facing charges related to the illegal invasion of Kagonye’s farm.
In her testimony, Kagonye, a prominent businesswoman, took the witness stand and stated that the 15 suspects had no legal claim to the land. She explained that the land was lawfully allocated to Glorious Properties through an official offer letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government.
She further presented evidence, including an approved layout plan, a development permit, and confirmation from the Surveyor General, to back her claims.
“We have an offer letter to develop this land, as well as an approved layout and development permit,” Kagonye told the court, adding that the Surveyor General had confirmed the legitimacy of these documents.
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Kagonye also testified about attempts to resolve the matter through negotiations, stating that they had tried to reach an agreement with the accused but were unable to do so. She mentioned that the Ministry of Lands had issued an eviction letter and that the High Court had granted a declaratory order in April 2024, marking the official end of the conflict.
The former minister went on to explain that her development permit stipulated that the stands on the land should start at 1,200 square meters. These stands had been surveyed and pegged accordingly. However, Kagonye claimed that the accused had subdivided the stands into smaller plots, each intended to accommodate at least five houses, and had been allocating these plots to unsuspecting home seekers without any authority.
The state alleges that the land was unlawfully invaded by the suspects in May 2024, with the accused continuing to peg and allocate stands to desperate individuals seeking housing.
The trial is still ongoing, with further developments expected in the coming days.
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