MATHIAS MUCHINGA
versus
HOUSING DIRECTOR
and
HARARE CITY COUNCIL
and
LOICE RUZVIDZO
and
YONA MUTEPUKA
and
JAMILI RAZOR
HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE
MUSHORE J
HARARE, 28 May 2018 & 4 July 2018
Civil Trial
M. Chigwadza, for the plaintiff
C. Kwaramba, for the 1st and 2nd defendants
MUSHORE J: The plaintiff is suing the first and second defendants for the allocation of immoveable property comprising of 4 houses situated on Stand Lot 4, Grubbie Park, Waterfalls; or in the alternative, the market value of those properties. Plaintiff is also suing second, third, fourth and fifth defendants for the recovery of rentals on 3 of the houses at the rates of US$400, US$500 and US$600 respectively; in addition to seeking vacant possession of those three houses.
The facts giving rise to the plaintiff’s claim (according to the plaintiff) are that in August 1996, plaintiff was approached by some Iranian businessmen who were accompanied by an official from the Zimbabwe Building Society, intending to engage to construct 4 demonstration houses. Plaintiff alleged that he was informed that the intention was to embark upon the construction of 10000 housing units, if and when the demonstration houses which plaintiff was to build were approved by the second defendant (The Harare City Council). Plaintiff alleged that he was furnished with site and house plans by the Iranians. Apparently those site and house plans had already been approved by the City of Harare. In addition the