MCM Legal

10/05/2026

10 May


On 10 May 2002, the Parliament passed amendments to the Land Acquisition Act during a special session, accelerating the land reform programme. The changes provided that land subject to acquisition orders issued before this date would immediately vest in the state, requiring affected farmers to stop operations within 45 days and vacate their homes within 90 days.

09/05/2026

9 May


On 9 May 1891: The British government formally proclaimed the South African British Protectorate, solidifying the colonial legal foundation for Mashonaland and Matabeleland.

08/05/2026

8 May


On 8 May 1980, Enoch Dumbutshena was appointed as the first Black judge to the General Division of the High Court of Zimbabwe, marking a major milestone in the post-independence judiciary.

He went on to become the first Black Chief Justice in independent Zimbabwe.

06/05/2026

6 May


On 6 May 2005, the government escalated Operation Murambatsvina (“Drive Out Trash”), a campaign involving widespread demolitions of homes and businesses, which triggered significant constitutional challenges relating to property rights and access to shelter.

06/05/2026

5 May


On 5 May, 1891, the British government initiated the creation of the South Africa British Protectorate, formally proclaimed on 9 May, 1891. This period was pivotal in establishing the legal framework for British protection over the territory later known as Southern Rhodesia aimed at preventing its occupation by the South African Republic.

06/05/2026

4 May


On 4 May, 2025, the Persons with Disabilities Act was passed by the Senate and hailed as a milestone for statutory inclusion. The Act provides the first specific statutory recognition for children with disabilities and introduces safeguards for women and girls facing "double burden" discrimination.

05/05/2026

Legal Discussions with Vengai Madzima: Chimbadzo or Loan Sharks in Zimbabwe

• What is the legal difference between a registered lender and a loan shark?
• Why is surrendering your title deed as security a major risk?
• Are the high interest rates in informal lending legally enforceable?
• What legal recourse do you have if you fall victim to a predatory lender?
• How can you verify if a lender is licensed under the Microfinance Act?

Read the full discussion here: https://www.newzimbabwe.com/legal-discussions-with-vengai-madzima-chimbadzo-or-loan-sharks-in-zimbabwe/

NewZimbabwe.com has invited Mr. Vengai Madzima, the Senior Partner at Madzima Chidyausiku Museta Legal Practitioners (MCM Legal) to discuss with us legal issues that affect Zimbabweans. The discussions are of a general nature and those seeking specific legal advice should contact their lawyer. Repor...

04/05/2026

The interface between mental health and criminal justice in Zimbabwe is principally governed by the Mental Health Act [Chapter 15:12], which establishes a structured framework for the identification, treatment and disposition of mentally disordered persons who come into contact with the criminal justice system.

Read the full insight below.

01/05/2026

What happens to the matrimonial home when death interrupts a marriage? 🏠

For many, the answer seems obvious: the surviving spouse remains protected and inherits. Yet, under Zimbabwean law, that expectation can either be firmly upheld or completely undone, depending on one critical factor: whether the deceased left a valid will.

In Zimbabwe, marriages are generally "out of community of property." This means each spouse owns and controls their property independently. Upon death, the estate does not automatically devolve to the surviving spouse—it must be distributed in accordance with the law.

Without a valid will, or with a poorly planned one, the future of the matrimonial home can become uncertain.

Read our full analysis on the balance between testamentary freedom and spousal protection: https://tinyurl.com/mcmlegal-21-04-26

30/04/2026

30 April


Zimbabwe: High Court Rules Fraud Claims Are Not Subject to Prescription

Case Name: David Ephrage Tafangenyasha Muchinguri and Anor v Frank Buyanga and Ors (Harare High Court, preliminary ruling)

Event: On 30 April 2025, Justice Gladys Mhuri of the Harare High Court ruled on a preliminary objection in a long‑running fraud lawsuit, holding that allegations of fraud are not subject to prescription under Zimbabwean law. The court affirmed that fraud, being an illegality, cannot become legitimate merely through the passage of time.

Legal Significance: The ruling establishes a clear rule of practice in Zimbabwean civil procedure: an action based on fraudulent conduct is not time‑barred under the country’s prescription laws. A court cannot be asked to validate an illegality simply because the parties delayed in bringing the case. This principle has broad implications for commercial and property disputes where fraud is alleged, ensuring that wrongdoers cannot rely on prescription as a shield.

30/04/2026

In the Zimbabwean legal landscape, the boundary between civilian life and law enforcement is bridged by a little-known but potent statutory obligation: The duty to assist a police officer.

While modern policing often emphasizes professional boundaries, Section 39 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act [Chapter 9:07] (CPEA) preserves a traditional "posse comitatus" power, legally drafting citizens into the machinery of justice.

But what are the limits of this duty? From the criteria for a "sufficient excuse" to the constitutional debates regarding the gendered language of the statute, we provide a full legal analysis of this obligation.

Read the full analysis here: https://tinyurl.com/mcmlegal-22-04-26