Sheriff evicts businessman Mashamhanda from US$1.5 million Highlands mansion

HARARE – Prominent businessman Tendai Mashamhanda is being evicted from his luxurious Highlands home, valued at US$1.5 million, following a Supreme Court ruling that he fraudulently acquired the property while it was under judicial attachment.

The eviction, carried out by the High Court sheriff accompanied by police officers, comes after Mashamhanda’s unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn the High Court’s November 2023 ruling that the sale was fraudulent.

Mashamhanda purchased the property from controversial lawyer Puwai Chiutsi for US$230,000 and claimed to have increased its value through renovations. However, the High Court ruled that the sale was fraudulent and ordered Mashamhanda to vacate the premises.

The law firm Gill, Godlonton, and Gerrans initiated the eviction process, requesting assistance from the High Court Sheriff Services on June 19. The sheriff responded on June 21, scheduling the eviction for June 25.

Mashamhanda has accused Justice Chinembiri Bhunu and other judges of corruption, calling for their resignation and alleging violations of judicial ethics regulations.

Recently, Mashamhanda filed a lawsuit in the High Court on April 17, 2024, seeking to nullify the title deed held by Bariade Investments and regain ownership of the land. He alleged that the title was fraudulently obtained through irregular documents.

Mashamhanda had purchased the property from Puwayi Chiutsi in February 2019, but Bariade Investments claimed to have bought the property at an auction due to a debt owed by Chiutsi to Elliot Rogers.

Mashamhanda argued that Bariade Investments’ title was fraudulent, citing irregularities in the documentation, including the Capital Gains Tax certificate, Rates Clearance Certificate, and Deed of Transfer.

He also contested the validity of the Power of Attorney used by Bariade Investments’ lawyer, Tendai Biti. The lawsuit sought to cancel the Deed of Transfer and reinstate Mashamhanda as the owner of the property.

However, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, and the eviction process proceeded.