Stuhm Farm fiasco: Former Minister Fortune Chasi and Rautenbach face off
GOROMONZI – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has reportedly launched investigations into the controversial allocation of Stuhm Farm in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East, to businessman Muller Conrad “Billy” Rautenbach’s company, Marimba Residential Properties, amid mounting protests from leaseholders represented by former Energy Minister Fortune Chasi.
Stuhm Farm, a 412-hectare property along Shamva Road near Nyamapanda Road, was originally allocated in 2019 to nearly 100 former Members of Parliament and senior officials under a government housing scheme.
Beneficiaries, including former Norton MP Temba Mliswa, opposition leaders Morgan Komichi and Elias Mudzuri, and diplomat Priscilla Misihairabwi, received lease agreements from the Ministry of Local Government after paying US$1,942 each, with stands subsequently demarcated.
According to the NewsHawks, the Stuhm Residents’ Association now alleges that the land was improperly re-allocated to Rautenbach’s company on 14 March 2025, a move they describe as fraudulent and corrupt.
The allocation was reportedly made as compensation for Rautenbach’s loss of 180 hectares in Aspindale Park, Harare, despite a 2019 High Court ruling which found that the land in question never belonged to him or his company.
Residents were further alarmed when title deeds for Stuhm Farm, as well as the neighbouring Springs Farm, were issued to Rautenbach on 5 June 2025, days after the leaseholders had already filed with High Court application to protect their rights on 29 May.
Representing the residents, Chasi has accused Rautenbach of abusing state institutions to push his claim.
In a letter dated 13 August 2025 to Rautenbach’s lawyers, Ahmed and Ziyambi, Chasi protested police interference after officers disrupted road-clearing works at the farm, calling it “clear harassment” and “an inappropriate interference with ongoing litigation.”
The dispute comes in the wake of a July High Court ruling by Justice Regis Dembure blocking the eviction of indigenous farmers from Springs Farm, describing the withdrawal of their offer letters as “grossly unreasonable, irrational, and illogical.”
“In terms of section 219(1)(c) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013, the police are tasked with maintaining law and order and protecting persons and property, not interfering in bona fide civil matters.
“The lodging of a police report under these circumstances is thus both improper and constitutes an inappropriate interference with ongoing litigation, contrary to established jurisprudence.
“Rautenbach’s spirited efforts to evict the leaseholders at Stuhm Farm follow a High Court ruling on 17 July in which Justice Regis Dembure blocked the eviction of indigenous farmers from Springs Farm, declaring the withdrawal of their offer letters “grossly unreasonable, irrational, and illogical,” Chasi stated.
The Residents’ Association has also petitioned Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe and placed the Registrar of Deeds on notice, objecting to any transfer of ownership until the matter is resolved.
ZACC has not yet publicly commented, but officials confirmed that the anti-corruption body is probing the allocation of both Stuhm and Springs farms to Rautenbach’s company.
