Meet Josiah Mutangi, the Bulawayo-based Zanu-PF councillor who’s turned “hold my seat” into “hold my cell” by refusing to vacate a farmhouse in Umguza, Matabeleland North—despite a court’s repeated _eviction_ RSVP invitations.
Mutangi has been gate-crashing Imbesu Farm, owned by Zephaniah Matiwaza, since July 2022 without paying rent. The farmhouse’s “No Vacancy” signs—aka court eviction orders—have been waving in his face since last year, but Josiah apparently prefers the jailhouse rock over packing his bags. Last month, a civil warrant for his arrest was served after he gave the legal system the ultimate snub: contempt of court.
Now, behind bars and presumably perfecting his prison penmanship, Mutangi is trying to sweet-talk his way out. Court papers reveal he’s drafted a peace treaty with Matiwaza: cough up $1,000 upfront, then settle the entire judgment debt (and lawyer fees, because lawyers gotta eat) by December 2025. The deal even includes a “breach it and you’re toast” clause—meaning one misstep and Matiwaza can throw the eviction hammer down faster than you can say “order served.”
Matiwaza, the farm’s rightful owner, seems ready to play nice for now, confirming that his legal team is hammering out the details. He’s also been fielding heartfelt pleas from Mutangi and his wife, hoping to turn the jail stay into a quick getaway.
But Josiah’s legal drama isn’t limited to farm troubles. Recently, he and co-defendant Janet Zhou faced court over allegations of conning 14 vendors out of $200 each with promises of prime vending spots in Bulawayo’s CBD. Looks like Mutangi’s political connections aren’t quite the get-out-of-jail-free cards he might’ve hoped for.
source– BusinessDaily
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