Simbi’ s forged land permit court case takes a new twist

By Dumisani Ndlovu

Gweru, Zimbabwe – The ongoing legal saga involving Charles Simbi, a former Zanu PF councillor and losing parliamentary candidate, has taken a dramatic turn as the Gweru District Lands Office distances itself from a controversial land document allegedly used to claim lucrative mining land at Kanuck Farm.

Simbi and his wife, Zodwa Thembinkosi Simbi, are already undergoing trial on fraud charges over allegations of forging land ownership papers in an attempt to seize valuable mining claims. Now, the legitimacy of the document they used is under increasing scrutiny.

Testifying before Gweru Magistrate Beaulity Dube, Gweru District Lands Officer Nyasha Manyakara categorically denied that the document originated from his office. The prosecution was led by Fredrick Macheza, who presented the case with strong objectivity and expertise.

“Your Worship, the document I am holding is a photocopy resembling a tenure document, but it is unlike any produced by our office. Our documents are handwritten and must be signed by the District Development Coordinator’s office and the Vungu Rural District CEO,” said Manyakara.

“This one is typed. I can see Plot Number 42 and Kanuck 4 are typed in, which is not standard. Most importantly, I do not recall offering the accused any land.”
He further stated that the date on the purported offer letter, 22 June 2014, was invalid because the land in question had already been reserved for a farmer named Mawere.

“If their claim were genuine, Zodwa Simbi’s name would appear on the official list of land beneficiaries maintained by our office,” he added.
Three copies of original offer letters from the district office were submitted to the court and recorded as Exhibits 7, 8, and 9.

At the centre of the dispute is a 10-hectare plot within Kanuck Farm, located along the Gweru-Shurugwi Road, where significant gold deposits have been discovered. Simbi, no stranger to land and mining disputes, allegedly attempted to seize control of the land from New Generation Mining Syndicate, the current holders of the claims.

According to court documents, Simbi allegedly used his wife to submit a forged offer letter in a bid to claim ownership. The document was later presented in court following the escalation of the dispute.

New Generation Mining Syndicate, composed of Nyengeterai Tsvangirai and Musiyiwa Paradza, holds legal rights to the claims. They allege Simbi had initially mined the area—known as Pretty Polly 33 Mine—in 2022 under an agreement with Tsvangirai's late husband, Casper Tsvangirai.

However, he abandoned operations after reporting poor yields.
Following his exit, Tsvangirai partnered with Paradza to form the New Generation Mining Syndicate, which went on to register nine gold claims after discovering rich gold deposits.
Upon learning of the site’s success, Simbi allegedly returned and registered one claim, even encroaching onto the syndicate's claims. This prompted the Ministry of Mines to intervene and order him off the property.

When conventional efforts failed, Simbi allegedly forged an offer letter in his wife's name and began farming on the disputed land—reportedly in an attempt to disrupt the syndicate's operations.

The matter eventually landed in court, where Simbi produced the contested letter as proof of land ownership. However, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has publicly disassociated itself from the document, casting serious doubt on its validity.

The Gweru District Lands Office’s denial adds significant weight to the fraud allegations and represents a major blow to Simbi's defense case. It also raises concerns about potential irregularities in the land allocation process, which could have broader implications for land rights and governance in the region.

Court documents revealed that Lots 4 and 5 of Kanuck Farm—the specific areas in dispute—are legally owned by Melvin Van Gopal, undermining Simbi’s claim even further.
Simbi was arrested on May 7 and later released into the custody of his then lawyer, Wellington Davira. The prosecution then proceeded by way of summons, signalling readiness to formally charge him.

As the legal battle continues, now Represented by Esau Mandipa Simbi’s case was postponed to 30 June 2025 for continuation of trial. The outcome is expected to set a precedent for future land disputes and serve as a cautionary tale for those engaging in land and mining transactions without proper verification.