Former Minister Almost Loses $600k House To Corrupt Deeds Office Syndicate

Zimbabwe’s first Education Minister at independence, Dr Dzingai Mutumbuka, has expressed shock at the level of corruption in Zimbabwe after suspected fraudsters, conniving with the Deeds Office in Harare forged documents to his US$600 000 Chisipite house and sold it for a mere US$140 000.

Mutumbuka, also a senior employee at the World Bank in the USA, acted just in the nick of time and the matter is before the courts.

Justice Webster Nicholas Chinamora who resigned last week following corruption allegations is said to have granted the order for Mutumbuka to vacate his house on a technicality.

The order issued on September 18, 2023, instructed Mutumbuka to vacate the house and assist the purported buyer with the necessary paperwork.

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Mutumbuka then appealed to the Supreme Court.

The buyer of the house armed with Chinamora’s order sought for Mutumbuka’s immediate eviction. The High Court however, threw out Marange’s appeal yesterday.

Mutumbuka said corruption in Zimbabwe was alarming and added that he was able to save his house so far because he is well known and influential. He felt sorry for poor people who are losing their properties daily with no chance for recourse.

He said he met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and told him that although he is doing a great deal of work for the country, he will not go far if he doesn’t address the problem of corruption.

“I met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and I congratulated him on his achievements, but I told him he will not achieve much if he doesn’t deal with corruption.

“I am known that is why I am able to fight my case in the courts. What about those ordinary men and women in the streets who are not known? They easily lose their hard-earned properties to such fraudsters,” said Mutumbuka.

He called upon the ZRP to investigate the Deeds Office whose officials he allege, collude with fraudsters to produce fake documents and swindle people of their properties.

Mutumbuka was the first Minister of Education and Culture Dzingai at independence.

The Mirror understands that two men, Prosper Biziweck (43) and Tatenda “Shaft” Wakatama (44) crafted fake documents and sold Mutumbuka’s house to Marange.

The duo which worked with officials from the Deeds Registry was arrested and has since appeared before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mungota.

Ironically while they were still appearing in Court, Marange approached the High Court and Justice Chinamora ordered (Case number HCH 4912/22) Mutumbuka out of the house.

The allegations are that on June 22, 2021, the two, together with accomplices Jonah Ngome, Taurai Makata, Peter Chigayo and Kenias Mutyasira who are still at large forged title deeds of house number 90, Harare Drive, Chisipite in Harare which is registered in Mutumbuka’s name to be in Ngome’s name.

Before the trial of the alleged fraudsters was finalised at the magistrate’s court, Marange approached the High Court and obtained the order from Justice Chinamora.

Chinamora resigned last week after President Emmerson Mnangagwa set up a tribunal to investigate him.

There were allegations particularly reported by Newshawks that Chinamora was not being investigated as recommended because he was receiving protection from Mnangagwa.

Sources said the Mutumbuka case is probably the one that eventually led to the resignation of the Judge.

The alleged fraudsters are set to appear in court on November 29, 2023.