ZIPRA war veterans’ company, Nitram Holdings Private Limited, has been convicted of fraud and fined US$250 by the Esigodini Magistrates Court following a dispute over ownership and rental collections at Mbalabala Properties.
The conviction followed a complaint by Mbalabala Properties, represented by Thando Ncube, who accused Nitram Holdings of attempting to take over the collection of rentals from tenants without proof of ownership.
Nitram Holdings, represented by its secretary-general Willard Maphious Moyo, a former ZIPRA war veteran from Bulawayo, was convicted after a lengthy trial.
According to the court papers, the dispute started in early May 2024 when seven members of Nitram Holdings visited the Mbalabala Properties offices and met Ncube.
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The delegation — Sipho Ncube, Jones Nkomo, Floyd Maphosa, Malaki Mpofu, Phuza Nyoni, Sipho Masuku and Flackson Moyo — allegedly introduced themselves as former ZIPRA war veterans acting on the instructions of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The State said the group claimed they had been sent to inform Ncube that Mbalabala Properties had been awarded to former ZIPRA war veterans.
“The seven Ex-Zipra War Veterans further alleged that they were in possession of a document authored by His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe,” the State said.
The veterans also alleged that the property had been improperly acquired by the late national hero Enos Nkala, who served as Defence Minister between 1982 and 1983, allegedly through abuse of his office.
Ncube reportedly demanded documentary proof of the claims, but the delegation left after failing to produce the documents.
The State said the veterans subsequently summoned Ncube to their offices, but he refused to attend because they had failed to provide proof of ownership.
The dispute escalated on May 15, 2024, when Ncube reported the matter to the police, alleging that Nitram Holdings had summoned tenants to a meeting scheduled for the following day.
The meeting was allegedly intended to announce Nitram Holdings’ takeover of rental collections.
“On 16 May 2024 the seven Ex-Zipra War Veterans held the meeting whereby they told tenants to stop paying monthly rentals to Mbalabala Properties but to Nitram Properties,” the State said.
The court heard that the move was intended to deceive and prejudice Mbalabala Properties, which the State said was entitled to collect the rentals under Companies Act Certificate Number 256/89 and Deeds Number 4775/89.
The court found that Nitram Holdings’ actions were calculated to deprive the legitimate owner of rental income and had the potential to cause disorder.
The company was subsequently convicted and fined US$250.
The case is the latest development in a long-running ownership dispute involving properties under Mbalabala Properties.
Mbalabala Garage is among the properties at the centre of the dispute, which has also drawn in Thandiwe Nkala, widow of the late national hero Enos Nkala.
Nkala has been involved in separate legal proceedings over the properties and was recently granted a peace order by the Esigodini Magistrates Court amid the continuing wrangle.
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