The Zvimba East Veterans Investment Company (Zevic) is facing a deepening crisis, with allegations that some local police officers are aiding a faction led by Michael Changadzo in defying court orders and committing acts of fraud at a piece of land in Nyabira.
The Nyabira police officer-in-charge is alleged to have received a court order directing him to act against Changadzo’s interdicted faction.
However, instead of enforcing the ruling, he allegedly demanded additional documentation before accompanying Changadzo’s team to allegedly uproot fencing poles erected by Zevic workers at Chitangazuva, Penrose.
This comes despite a July 17 interim court interdict, which restrained Changadzo and associates from interfering in the affairs of Zevic.
Critics accused the officer of contempt of court and shielding the accused from accountability.
“The officer has consistently refused to open a docket against the accused since June, despite repeated directives from Manyame District police headquarters,” said a source close to the case.
Changadzo and his associates — Douglas Mandaza, Clifford Rutsate, and Retired Colonel Samuel Jowel Muzhamba (Khumalo) — face multiple allegations, including fraudulently collecting money from unsuspecting clients and forging company registration documents to withdraw funds from Zevic’s FBC account.
Retired Colonel Muzhamba, one of the company’s directors, has openly denounced recent court judgements, dismissing them as fake and insisting he was never summoned.
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Retired Major Joe Chimonyo, who has won several court cases in favour of Zevic, expressed frustration at the continued disregard of court rulings.
“Contempt of court is no longer treated as a crime,” he said, calling for urgent conclusion of pending fraud and forgery cases.
The accused are scheduled to return to court on September 4, though proceedings have been delayed by the illness of the first accused, Mandaza.
The crisis has also taken a political turn.
A senior official at the Registrar of Companies is accused of aiding in document forgery under instructions from top officials from the Justice ministry.
Sources privy to the goings on allege that a shadowy figure known only as “Mambo,” who claims to be a relative of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is accused of exerting influence over local government officials and the Nyabira police.
War veterans have expressed dismay at the escalating conflict.
Former secretary-general of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Andy Mhlanga, has attempted to mediate to no avail.
Police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be reached for comment yesterday.
