Zimbabwe Round-up: Chivayo Backlash, Masvingo High Court Backlog and Buhera ZESA Arrests
Harare Express, 28 September 2026 — A fatal road crash involving a luxury vehicle connected to businessman Wicknell Chivayo, a widening backlog at the Masvingo High Court and the arrest of three suspects over attempted ZESA cable and transformer theft have shaped the opening news cycle of the week.
Chivayo Slams Gloating After Fatal Crash
Businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo has strongly criticised what he described as public celebration following a deadly collision on the Harare-Masvingo Highway. The accident involved a Toyota Land Cruiser linked to the household of the late religious leader Paul Mwazha, who had earlier received the vehicle as a donation.
The crash occurred near Featherstone and left a cattle-drawn scotch cart rider dead at the scene. Reports indicate that the vehicle’s driver was seriously injured and that Ngoni Mwazha, son of the late religious leader, was travelling as a passenger. The damaged Land Cruiser became the focus of public debate because of its association with Chivayo’s charitable gifts.
In a response that quickly spread across social media, Chivayo rejected online mockery and harsh commentary, arguing that critics appeared to treat one unfortunate accident as evidence against a large-scale donation record he has built over time. He said the vehicle’s involvement in a collision did not undermine the charitable work he and his family continue to support.
Chivayo also framed the backlash in personal and religious terms, saying his actions remain grounded in faith and that public noise makers would not pressure him to abandon his support for religious institutions and their members. He added that the head of state remains appreciative of contributions made to society, a remark that further drew attention to the controversy.
The incident reflects how closely public figures in Zimbabwe are scrutinised online, especially when wealth, religion, charitable acts and road safety intersect. While police and road safety messaging continues to emphasise caution along major corridors, social media often turns tragic accidents into broader debates about privilege, morality and public spending.
Masvingo High Court Faces Judge Shortage
Meanwhile, legal practitioners in Masvingo are warning that a shortage of judges has created serious delays at the High Court. Appeals hearings have stalled for several weeks because the station is currently operating with one judge instead of the required two judges for appeal matters.
The difficulty began after Justice Sunsley Zisengwe was transferred to Mutare, leaving Justice Christopher Dube-Banda to manage court business alone. Newly appointed Justice Justin Uladi has not yet been deployed to Masvingo, keeping the bench stretched.
The problem is not limited to appeals. High Court procedure normally requires a separate judge to conduct a pre-trial conference before the main trial, and the same judge should not hear that trial. With only one judge at Masvingo, scheduling and case progression have become more complicated, forcing lawyers to seek alternative court stations or wait for judicial capacity to return.
Some clients are now being advised to pursue matters in Harare or Bulawayo, a shift that increases travel and legal costs. Court observers say the situation underlines a broader challenge in Zimbabwe’s justice system: when judicial staffing gaps occur at provincial courts, litigants bear the financial and emotional burden of delay.
The Judicial Service Commission had not provided a detailed public update on the Masvingo shortage as the week began, though lawyers are urging faster deployment of available judges to prevent further case backlogs.
ZESA Suspects Arrested After Buhera Attempt
In another national story, three suspects were arrested after an attempted theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure in Buhera. Police say the men were caught after community members spotted them tampering with a ZESA transformer and armoured cable at Matias Business Centre.
Investigators stated that the suspects fled their getaway vehicle, a Toyota Toyoace, after being discovered, then attempted to travel toward Harare on a bus. Police apprehended them near Murambinda Business Centre, according to the official account.
The suspects were named as Isaac Lloyd, Blessing Mudyanadzo and Tanaka Choruwa. Police said a fourth person, Peter Chuma, remains at large, and investigators are asking members of the public to assist with information leading to his arrest.
The arrests come amid continued concern over theft of copper cable, transformer parts and other critical electricity assets in Zimbabwe. Community cooperation has repeatedly played a role in disrupting such operations, while law enforcement agencies emphasise that vandalism of energy infrastructure not only causes financial losses but also threatens public service delivery.
Why These Stories Matter
The three developments show how Zimbabwe’s public debate is currently moving between social accountability, judicial service delivery and infrastructure security. Chivayo’s reaction highlights the intense scrutiny of wealthy and religiously connected figures, while the Masvingo court situation shows how administrative delays can affect ordinary citizens seeking justice. The Buhera ZESA arrest, meanwhile, underscores the ongoing campaign to protect power infrastructure from theft and sabotage.
Harare Express will continue following each story as authorities, courts and the public respond.