By Elvis Dumba
Banket – Cosmas Washayanyika and several co-accused, including his son, will spend the weekend in custody following their arrest in connection with a violent farm eviction dispute.
The group appeared before Banket Magistrate Rumbidzai Chigodora and was remanded in custody pending a bail ruling set for Monday, July 27.
The accused were recently seen in viral social media footage clashing with police officers over the disputed Lot 3 Lea Farm in Nyabira. Washayanyika alleges that his eviction is politically motivated, claiming that Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi is behind the attempts to remove him from the property after his official land offer letter was revoked.
Represented by lawyer Douglas Mwonzora, under instruction from human rights advocate Linda Masarira, Washayanyika and his co-accused deny all charges, which include incitement to violence and property destruction.
The state, led by investigating officer Miga Karonga, opposed bail on the grounds that the accused could interfere with witnesses.
However, under cross-examination, Karonga failed to name any of the alleged threatened witnesses, saying he had “forgotten some of the names.”
He also claimed that a statement about high-level political involvement—contained in the charge sheet—was a “typing error.”
The accused include:
Cosmas Washayanyika (47) and his son Collins Washayanyika (25), of 69 New Stands, Nyabira
Chidochashe Sibanda (35), of 1054 Gletwin, Chishawasha
Michael Zhuwawo (26), of ZPCS Prison Farm, Mutare
Enock Murambidza (22), residing at Lot 3 Lea Farm, Nyabira
The defense alleges that Carol Gordon, who also claims ownership of the farm, is the one who escalated the conflict. Mwonzora argued that the fire, which led to the arrests, was actually started by Gordon’s farm workers during an eviction attempt initiated on her instruction.
“This case lacks merit,” Mwonzora told the court. “The accused were arrested for a fire they did not start. In fact, it was Carol Gordon who incited the situation.”
Human rights defender Linda Masarira criticized the involvement of senior government officials, accusing Minister Ziyambi and Deputy Minister of Lands and Agriculture Davis Marapira of harassment.
“I hate injustice with a passion,” Masarira said. “We are fighting for the Black man’s self-determination—our land, our heritage. What is shocking is that both the Justice Minister and the Deputy Minister of Lands have been involved in harassing Washayanyika. There is evidence.”
She further claimed the land dispute is already before the High Court and alleged, though unproven, that Marapira holds shares in INAMO, the company operating Carol Gordon’s farm.
INAMO is reportedly involved in export-oriented farming, including blueberries, asparagus, and tobacco.
Washayanyika insists that the eviction and subsequent arrest are part of a broader political campaign to dispossess him of land legally allocated to him.
He claims that Justice Minister Ziyambi personally called him and threatened arrest if he refused to vacate the farm.
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