Zimbabwe court fast-tracks interdict bid against Kadoma housing cooperative's stand sales
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The Harare High Court has set a tight timetable on an application by Citizens for Land Justice Zimbabwe to halt what it says is the unlawful allocation and sale of residential stands at Mupamombe in Ingezi, Kadoma, with a hearing set for 11 November.
A residents' lobby group has taken a Kadoma housing cooperative to the Harare High Court in a bid to stop what it describes as the unlawful administration, allocation and sale of residential stands at Mupamombe in Ingezi, Kadoma.
The matter came before Justice Nyaradzo Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa on Friday, where the court issued consent directions for the filing of papers. The applicant, Citizens for Land Justice Zimbabwe, represented by Munyaradzi Msamba, is seeking an interdict against Mupamombe Housing Cooperative Society Limited and its office bearers. A lawyer, Mahlangu, is named alongside the cooperative and nine other individuals and entities.
The other respondents are Machidha Francis, Shadreck Nyoni, Mahaye Elimon, Wellington Chawatama, Abram Chikwani, Memory Mudadisi, Joyance Magonyo, Indifa Investments (Private) Limited, the Law Society of Zimbabwe, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works and the Director of Housing for the City of Kadoma.
According to the founding affidavit, the respondents organised themselves into an association in 2019 which was then used to incorporate the cooperative. Court papers claim the incorporation was "a deliberate act to create the impression that the land in Mupamombe, Ingezi Kadoma has been allocated" to the cooperative. The residents' association further alleges the cooperative is using a layout plan to give members of the public the impression that it is the lawful owner, and that members of the public are falling victim to what it calls a scheme operated through the cooperative and the other respondents.
The applicant argued that the same court has already determined under case number R-HCCC 290/26 that the cooperative was never allocated the land in question. Despite that, it alleges, the cooperative continues to offer stands for sale, relying on other court orders, HCH 2237/24 and R-HCH 2237/24, to suggest it has rights to administer and sell the stands.
"The respondent does not have an iota of evidence to indicate that it was allocated the land in question through an offer letter, a permit or any other official document from the government," the founding affidavit reads. The applicant argues the continued sales expose unsuspecting members of the public to substantial and potentially irreparable financial prejudice because the State may demolish illegal structures in future.
Justice Munangati-Manongwa ordered by consent that the first and second respondents file opposing papers by 9am on 9 November 2026, with the applicant to file an answering affidavit by 4pm on 10 November if needed. The matter was postponed to 11 November at noon for hearing. Mahlangu, cited in her personal capacity, is yet to file opposing papers.
Citizens for Land Justice Zimbabwe says it was formed to protect members of the public from "land barons who create cooperatives whose names are identical to the land they intend to acquire and then sell to innocent purchasers".