Businessman and war veteran John Fadzisayi Jani says he remains confident that his proposed multi-billion-dollar cyber city project will proceed, despite an ongoing High Court dispute over Elmswood Farm, the land earmarked for the development.
The matter, currently before the High Court, centres on a contest involving the ownership and jurisdiction of Elmswood Farm.
Marondera Municipality has been battling Jani over the property, while he maintains that the farm is his and falls under the jurisdiction of Marondera Rural District Council, where he says he is paying statutory taxes.
The war veteran said the legal process has temporarily slowed progress on the cyber city, but expressed confidence that the courts will resolve the matter expeditiously.
“The project has been affected by the Elmswood Farm issue which is before the High Court, but we are confident that justice will be done,” Jani said.
“We respect the courts and believe the matter will be finalised soon, allowing us to move forward.”
He added that foreign investors are ready to inject several billions of dollars into the project once the legal uncertainty is cleared.
“Our partners are prepared to come in with significant capital. They are only waiting for the determination of the courts so that we can proceed without encumbrances,” he said.
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Jani described the cyber city as a flagship development aligned with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda and economic empowerment thrust.
“As a war veteran, I am rallying behind President Mnangagwa’s economic empowerment programme,” he said.
“The cyber city is part of that vision to modernise our economy and create opportunities for our people.”
The proposed development is expected to feature smart infrastructure, office parks, residential units and technology hubs aimed at positioning Zimbabwe as a regional innovation centre.
Jani said the project could create up to 15 000 jobs once fully operational.
He reiterated that the dispute over Elmswood Farm should not be viewed as a setback, but as a legal process that will ultimately bring clarity.
“Once the court process is concluded, we will immediately engage our foreign investors and move into full implementation. This project is about jobs, technology and national development,” Jani said.
The government's Vision 2030 blueprint seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by the end of the decade, with infrastructure development and innovation seen as key pillars.
