Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Supreme Court has ordered the eviction of former Acting Chief Zimunya, born Kibben Bvirindi, along with 1,500 families from Grove Farm, a peri-urban area in Mutare they had occupied since 1985.
Although the government approved the occupation in the 1980s, and later developed the area with houses, roads, schools, electricity, piped water, and a court for the chief, the land was privately owned.
The eviction followed a successful appeal by Borniface Nyamanhindi of Nyamanhindi Investments Private Limited, who purchased the farm in 1992.
His legal team was Saratoga Makausi Law Chambers, while Bvirindi was represented by Advocate Tatenda Musara.
The Ministers of Agriculture and Local Government, cited as respondents, were represented by Peter Garwe.
A panel of Supreme Court judges, Justices Chinembiri Bhunu, Samuel Kudya, and Hlekani Mwayera, granted the eviction on 11 February 2025 but stayed it until 30 June 2025 to allow for a possible settlement between the Government and Nyamanhindi.
No agreement was reached, and Nyamanhindi has since instructed the Sheriff of the High Court to carry out the evictions.
Bvirindi was still acting chief when the matter was heard, but a substantive chief, Clayton Zimunya, has since been installed. The court order remains in force. A writ of ejectment stamped on July 8, 2025, by the Sheriff of Zimbabwe reads:
…And whereas the deadline of the 30th June 2025 expired without a settlement between the parties thereby making the order executable.
Now therefore you are required and directed to eject the said 1st Defendant and all persons claiming through him, their goods, and possessions from land out of all occupation and possession whatsoever of the said farm, and to leave the same, to the end that the said may peacefully enter into and possess the same, and for so doing this shall be your warrant.
Nyamanhindi Investments bought Grove Farm in 1992 and obtained Title Deed No. 5547/92. In 1995, a government caveat was placed on the property, which the company consented to.
In 2019, Nyamanhindi secured a default High Court judgment to remove the caveat. Efforts to engage the Ministry of Lands at various levels for a settlement failed.
The company then filed a High Court application on 15 October 2020 to evict Chief Zimunya and all settlers from the farm. Justice Isaac Muzenda dismissed the application in May 2024.
Nyamanhindi appealed, and the Supreme Court granted an eviction order on 11 February 2025, stayed until 30 June 2025 to allow time for a possible settlement with the government and settlers.
With no resolution reached by the deadline, Nyamanhindi Investments has moved to enforce the eviction order.
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
