By Andrew Muvishi
Marondera Municipality has once again defied a binding High Court order barring it from parceling out residential stands at Elmswood Farm.
This recently led to a tense confrontation with Swandev (Pvt) Ltd which required police intervention.
The dispute, which has dragged on for years, reached a boiling point on Monday when councilors and senior council management visited the farm.
This sparked a heated altercation with Swandev representatives.
Elmswood Farm, measuring 866 hectares, is legally owned by Swandev Pvt Ltd through a registered deed of transfer.
In February, Justice Joel Mambara issued a final interdict permanently restraining the council from selling or allocating stands on the property.
Mambara ruled that the council had no lawful right to dispose of land it did not own.
Resistant Council
Despite this, municipal officials have continued to push ahead with plans to parcel out the land.
They insist that it was acquired by the State for urban expansion.
A resident who prefers to be anonymous said the council argued that it had already filed an appeal against the High Court ruling and therefore believed it was entitled to proceed with its plans.
“Council officials kept insisting they had filed an appeal.
However, the police made it clear that the High Court order still stands.
“It was tense, but the officers were firm.
“For Swandev, the ruling remains a reaffirmation of its ownership rights, though enforcement may require further legal action.
The confrontation at Elmswood highlights a deepening governance crisis in Marondera.
Municipal authorities continue appear unwilling to respect judicial authority.
With police now directly ordering compliance, the matter may escalate into contempt proceedings if the council persists.
For now, the High Court’s ruling stands firm Elmswood belongs to Swandev Pvt Ltd, and any attempt to parcel it out by the municipality is unlawful.
Continued Disruptions
Swandev Private Limited Director Tino Muraicho said council has been disrupting lawful operations on the property.
This has forced the company to report the matter to police.
“Council officials came onto our land and disrupted our operations despite a clear High Court order in our favour.
“We had no option but to report the matter to the police,” said Muraicho.
In an effort to get comment from Marondera municipality Mayor Chengetai Murowa was fruitless as his mobile went unanswered.
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