A wave of evictions has descended upon the Harare suburb of Msasa Park, leaving 800 families facing the loss of their homes. This follows a series of court rulings that confirmed the land is privately owned by Msasa Park (Private) Limited. The legal process has concluded, and the evictions have now begun, with 50 families already removed from the property known as Stand 560 Chadcombe Township, which measures approximately 280 hectares.
The dispute started years ago when families began building homes on the land, believing it had been given to them. However, the landowners later proved in court that the property had always belonged to their private company.
In 2023, the company attempted to resolve the issue by initiating what it termed a “regularisation process.” This meant that residents could stay on the land if they bought their stands at a discounted price of US$15 (about R280) per square metre. However, some residents refused, arguing that the land had been donated to them and that they should not have to pay anything.
A group of approximately 800 people, led by Paina Machidza, took the matter to court to challenge the proposed payments and to prevent any evictions.
The group’s case was first heard by Justice Emilia Muchawa at the High Court. The judge ruled against them, stating that people cannot claim ownership of land simply because they reside on it or believe it was given to them.
After losing that case, the residents made several more legal attempts — they filed new cases in both the High Court and the Supreme Court — but all of these were dismissed.
According to The Herald, the landowners then returned to court and requested a summary judgment — a fast-tracked decision without a full trial — because they argued that the facts were already clear.
In July 2025, Justice Never Katiyo granted this summary judgment in favour of the company, effectively giving it the right to evict residents who had refused to buy their stands. The residents attempted to appeal again, but in October 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, ruling it defective — meaning it did not follow proper court procedures. That decision effectively ended the matter.
One of the landowners, Farai Zuva, explained that the purpose of the legal action was to make sure the area was developed in an organised way and that residents had proper legal ownership of their homes.
“Our objective is to ensure orderly development while allowing residents to benefit legally from their land,” Mr Zuva said.
With all court cases settled, the evictions have now begun. The first 50 families have already been removed from their homes. Police were present to make sure the operation went smoothly and to prevent violence.
However, tensions ran high. In one reported incident, a resident named Onismus Mukau allegedly pulled out a gun and threatened police officers. He was quickly arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Support Unit.
The evictions are expected to continue until all affected residents have either bought their land or vacated it. For the hundreds of other families still in Msasa Park, the situation remains tense and uncertain.
