Gweru Lawyer Faces Asset Seizure After Allegedly Squandering Restitution Funds

Gweru — Prominent Gweru lawyer, Thomas Militao, is facing the seizure and possible auction of assets after a US$11 663,39 judgment debt arising from a dispute over restitution funds allegedly handed to him by a client for payment to a court-ordered beneficiary.

A writ of execution issued by the Gweru Civil Court has authorised the Messenger of Court to recover the debt from Militao's property, placing assets linked to his legal practice at risk of being sold to satisfy the judgment.

The writ, issued under case number GWGL2227/25, records that one Jabulani Tasvika obtained judgment against Militao on April 24, 2026, with the amount due subsequently rising to the US$11 663,39 after interest, VAT and other charges.

The document directs the Messenger of Court to recover the judgment debt, together with the costs of execution, from the defendant's property.

The amount comprises US$10 053,42 in judgment debt, US$42,69 in interest, US$5 in summons costs, US$4 in warrant costs and US$1 558,28 in VAT, bringing the total to US$11 663,39 before any further execution costs.

The writ provides for payment in United States dollars or the equivalent amount in Zimbabwe dollars at the prevailing bank rate on the date of payment.

The execution followed an earlier settlement between the parties which was allegedly breached.

Court records indicate that the underlying dispute arose after restitution money was allegedly handed to Militao by a client for payment in terms of a court order.

The client was subsequently re-arrested after the restitution was allegedly not paid within the period stipulated by the court.

According to the records, Militao later acknowledged receiving the money and offered to repay it.

He subsequently paid US$1 000 but failed to honour the repayment arrangement, resulting in further legal proceedings.

The parties eventually entered into a Deed of Settlement in April 2026, under which Militao acknowledged liability and undertook to clear the outstanding amount through monthly instalments of US$700.

That settlement was later breached, prompting Tasvika to pursue enforcement of the debt.

The April 24 judgment and subsequent July 13 writ have now turned the dispute into an execution battle, with assets used by Militao's legal practice having to be attached.

Militao Law Inc has since instituted interpleader proceedings challenging the attachment of it's office equipment.

The firm argues that the attached desks, chairs, computers, printers and other equipment are partnership assets acquired for the operation of the law practice and should not be used to satisfy the personal obligations of an individual partner.

A separate interpleader claim has also been filed over a motor vehicle attached during the execution process, with a third party asserting ownership of the vehicle.