Zimbabwe’s first Minister of Education, Dr. Dzingai Mutumbuka, has suffered significant losses after his Chisipite mansion in Harare was maliciously vandalized by a man evicted from the property.
The damage, estimated at US$70,000, occurred following a protracted legal battle to reclaim the house, which was fraudulently sold.
Upon returning to the property, Dr. Mutumbuka’s relatives discovered extensive destruction. Doors, door frames, and window frames had been removed, while the roof, gate, electric fence, swimming pool, and other installations were severely damaged or missing. The mansion, valued between US$400,000 and US$600,000, was left uninhabitable.
Dr. Mutumbuka’s representative, Dzikamai Danha, reported Harrison Marange and his wife, Demetria Zirenga, to Highlands Police (RRB 6254587) for vandalizing the property. Marange and Zirenga claim to have purchased the house from Jonah Ngome, who allegedly forged Dr. Mutumbuka’s title deeds to the property.
Anthony Muperi, Dr. Mutumbuka’s nephew, expressed shock at the extent of the damage. “The house is just a shell. When Marange moved in last year, it was intact, but he left behind nothing but destruction. The vindictiveness is shocking, especially since Dr. Mutumbuka did nothing to wrong him,” he said.
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The vandalism reportedly took place after the Sheriff delivered the eviction order but before Marange vacated the property.
A police report lists extensive damage, including missing taps, a gate motor, a swimming pool pump and pipes, borehole cables, intercom systems, light switches, tiles, and sinks. Walls and other structural elements were also affected, leaving the property in ruins.
National Police Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that investigations are underway.
Sheriff Regina Tadzoka, responsible for overseeing the eviction, claimed she was unaware of the damage. “I urge the complainants to approach our office so we can take appropriate action,” she said.
Both Marange and Zirenga remain unreachable, with their phone numbers no longer in service.
The fraudulent sale of the property stems from Ngome, who allegedly forged title deeds and sold the house to Marange and Zirenga. Ngome has not defended his actions in court nor been arrested for fraud.
The sale agreement was facilitated by Harare lawyer Kenias Mutyasira. Dr. Mutumbuka was initially evicted through an order issued by Justice Webster Chinamhora, who later resigned amidst allegations of misconduct.
In November 2024, Justice Priscila Munangati-Manongwa ruled that the property legally belonged to Dr. Mutumbuka, ordering the occupants to vacate. However, upon regaining possession, Dr. Mutumbuka faced the harsh reality of restoring the property at a cost of US$70,000.
Dr. Mutumbuka, who works internationally and serves on boards such as UNESCO and Harvard, has expressed disappointment over the ordeal, which has caused significant financial and emotional strain.
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