Bulawayo — ZANU PF Ward 1 Councillor Josiah Mutangi stands at the center of a sensational legal storm after defying multiple court orders to vacate Rosebank Farm Number 10 in Umguza. The embattled Councillor is now facing 90 days of civil imprisonment for contempt of court and could face additional criminal charges after he allegedly threatened to kill the farm’s owner, Zephaniah Matiwaza, and court officers sent to evict him.
Mutangi, who occupied the farm on July 1, 2022, under a lease agreement with Matiwaza, is accused of failing to pay a single cent of the $250 monthly rental stipulated in the agreement. Despite a February 2023 court order instructing him to pay $1,000 in outstanding rent, Mutangi has dug in his heels, prompting a series of escalating legal actions. His refusal to leave the property reached a dangerous crescendo on October 4, 2024, when he reportedly wielded an axe at court officers and brandished a firearm at Matiwaza, warning them, “I will kill anyone who tries to remove me.”
The dramatic standoff has plunged the controversial Councillor into deeper legal waters. He failed to appear at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court on November 28, 2024, to answer charges of contempt of court and malicious injury to property at the farm. Legal experts warn that his failure to heed the subpoena could lead to an even harsher sentence.
“This man has crossed every legal and ethical line,” an outraged Matiwaza told this publication. “Our lawyers are drafting letters to ZANU PF leadership in Bulawayo Province and to His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to expose this rogue official who is tarnishing the President’s name by using it as a shield for his criminal behavior.”
Mutangi’s violent threats and blatant disregard for the law have sparked condemnation across political and legal circles. Some ZANU PF officials have reportedly expressed anger at Mutangi for tainting the party’s reputation, while Matiwaza’s lawyer, Maqhawe Mpofu of Samp Mlaudzi and Partners, issued a stern warning to the Councillor.
“The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine. No one, not even a Councillor, is above the law,” Mpofu said in an exclusive interview. “We are prepared to see this case through to its logical conclusion. The rule of law must prevail, and my client deserves justice.”
Mutangi’s legal woes extend beyond the looming civil imprisonment. His entitlement to residential and commercial stands from the City of Bulawayo—a perk of his position as Councillor—could now be at risk of attachment to compensate Matiwaza. In addition, legal experts suggest his council allowances could also be garnished.
Meanwhile, the criminal charges of threats to commit murder could carry severe penalties if Mutangi is convicted. “This is not just a legal issue; it’s a test of the integrity of public officials and their respect for the rule of law,” said a legal analyst familiar with the case.
With mounting pressure from the courts, ZANU PF, and the farm owner, Mutangi’s once-formidable political career now teeters on the brink of collapse. His defiance has sparked outrage and disbelief, leaving observers wondering just how far he is willing to go—and what consequences he will ultimately face.
