The High Court has dismissed an application by Green Rebirth Trust, led by Nadia Vongai Mabvirakare, seeking an order to bar Batsirai Matiza from interfering with an ongoing carbon credit tree-planting project at Chemapango Secondary School in Murewa. The project aims to cultivate over one million fruit trees.
Matiza, a senior ZANU PF politician, had reportedly invested more than US$20,000 into the project after Mabvirakure approached him for assistance.
However, as the project expanded, Matiza allegedly attempted to take control, leading Mabvirakure to file the application in a bid to protect her initiative.
On March 12, Justice Happias Zhou of the Harare High Court dismissed the application in a brief ruling, with a full judgment still to be released. Reads Zhou’s order:
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Whereupon after reading documents filed of record and hearing counsel, the application be and is hereby dismissed.
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Matiza, who is ZANU PF secretary for environment, was cited as a respondent together with one Tichabaiwa Gwadu and Familia Muvhimwa.
In court papers, Mabvirakare had alleged that between September and November 2024, she received donations from several benefactors, including Matiza towards the tree nursery project.
She further claimed that on February 27, 2025, the respondents acting in concert went to her farm and forcibly took control of the same effectively dispossessing her. Said Mabvirakare:
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Applicant has further learnt that the respondents are holding themselves out as the owners of the project and are attempting to sell off the project’s nursery stock to a third party without the applicant’s consent or participation.
Respondents have barred the applicant from accessing its farming location and from continuing its operations thereat, the applicant is fearful that the respondents will sell off its nursery stock and make off with proceeds to the applicant’s detriment.
Applicant seeks an order restoring its full and undisturbed possession of the farming location as well as an interdict barring the respondent from entering the mining location and from marketing, removing, or otherwise dealing with the nursery stock at said location pending the return date.
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She said she would suffer irreparable harm if the court does not intervene urgently, asserting that the respondents are poised to dispose of the nursery stock on her farm, effectively excluding her from the project.
Mabvirakare was reportedly abducted in Chitungwiza on March 5, 2025, and was later found in a state of shock and trauma in Dangamvura, Mutare, on March 10, 2025.
She was subsequently taken to a private hospital in Harare to receive treatment for both physical and psychological injuries.
Rights activist and Green Rebirth Trust board member Abigail Mupambi linked the alleged abduction to the ongoing Chemapango tree-planting project.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/high-court-throws-out-mabvirakures-application-seeking-to-block-matiza-from-environment-project/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Pindula News

Mabvirakare wanted to stop Matiza from taking over a tree-planting project in Murewa. Matiza invested money in the project but then tried to control it. Mabvirakare went to court to protect her project. The court said no to Mabvirakare's request. Matiza and others are accused of taking over the project without permission. Mabvirakare was hurt and taken away, her friends think it's because of the project. The fight over the project continues.

High Court Dismisses Mabvirakare's Bid To Bar A ZANU PF Official From Tree-Planting Project

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has denied reports alleging that environmentalist Nadia Vongai Mabvirakare was abducted and tortured.
Rights activist and Green Rebirth Trust board member Abigail Mupambi claimed that Mabvirakare was abducted in Chitungwiza on 5 March 2025 and later found in a state of shock and trauma in Dangamvura, Mutare, on 10 March 2025.
It is alleged that Mabvirakare returned home late on 5 March, dropped her bag inside the house, and then went back out to close the gate, at which point she was reportedly kidnapped.
However, in a statement released on Tuesday, 11 March, ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi described the claims of abduction and torture as “misleading.” Nyathi said Mabvirakare was a suspect in a theft of trust property case. The statement reads:
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police has noted with concern social media posts on the alleged missing of Vongai Nadia Mabvirakure.
The information is misleading the public on the exact position on the ground and police investigations.
Vongai Nadia Mabvirakure is a suspect in a case of contravening Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9: 23, “Theft of trust property”. The complainant is Tichabaiwa Gwadu who represents Matiza Foundation.
In September 2024, the suspect through her company, Green Rebirth Trust went into a partnership with Matiza Foundation to construct a greenhouse or shed net at Chomupunga Business Centre, Murewa. The suspect was given USD 15 200. 00 cash to acquire the required materials as based on her quotation.
Instead of paying cash to Brickforce Hardware, Murewa, the suspect converted the money to personal use and went on to acquire the building materials on credit using false pretence under the Matiza Foundation.
Brickforce management later contacted Matiza Foundation Company raising a complaint and demanding payments.
A report was then made at ZRP Murewa. A team from CID Murewa checked for the suspect at her known address in Chitungwiza on 05th March 2025. They failed to locate her. They were told by her son, Patrick Mabvirakure that his mother was away.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has since located the suspect. She is currently in hospital under Police Guard. Full-scale investigations are currently underway in relation to the Theft of trust property case and her family’s allegations.
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The police in Zimbabwe say environmentalist Nadia Mabvirakare was not kidnapped or hurt. They say she is actually a suspect in a theft case involving trust property. The police found her in the hospital. The police are investigating the theft case. Nadia Mabvirakare's family says she was abducted and tortured, but the police deny this. They say she was involved in a theft case with a foundation called Matiza Foundation. The police are looking into the case and are keeping an eye on Nadia in the hospital.

ZRP Denies Environmentalist Nadia Mabvirakare Was Abducted and Tortured

Prominent environmentalist Nadia Vongai Mabvirakare, who was abducted in Chitungwiza on March 5, 2025, was found in a state of shock and trauma in Dangamvura, Mutare, on March 10, 2025.
Rights activist and Green Rebirth Trust board member Abigail Mupambi confirmed the case, linking it to Mabvirakare’s ongoing carbon credit tree-planting project at Chemapango Secondary School in Murewa, aimed at cultivating over one million fruit trees.
However, due to financial challenges, Mabvirakare sought support from various individuals, including ZANU PF Information Director Farai Marapira, who initially promised assistance from First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.
However, Marapira later directed her to senior ZANU PF politician Batsirai Matiza, who invested over US$20,000 into the project.
As the project grew, Matiza allegedly attempted to seize control, prompting Mabvirakare to file a High Court application to protect her work.
Matiza later requested an out-of-court settlement but failed to attend a scheduled meeting, and Mabvirakare was abducted the same day.
Before her abduction, she was reportedly being monitored by unknown individuals.
After a weeklong search, Mabvirakare was found more than 100 kilometres from her home in Murewa.
She was taken to a private hospital in Harare for treatment of physical and psychological injuries.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mupambi implicated Matiza as the alleged mastermind behind the abduction. She said:
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Throughout the project, Matiza never once visited. However, for the first time, during Nadia’s disappearance, he showed up, taking pictures and posting them on social media in a celebratory mode.
That is extremely primitive at a time when we are searching for a woman who has invested so much in national development.
During his first visit in Nadia’s absence, he carelessly assured workers, “don’t worry, I can now work with you directly.”
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Mupambi revealed that Matiza had contacted suppliers and service providers, assuming control of Mabvirakare’s project operations.
Mabvirakare’s family has raised concerns over the handling of her case, particularly regarding the medical tests.
A kidnapping docket has been opened at Makoni Police Station under RRB 7346710, but tensions have arisen between the family and the police.
The family fears that medical tests at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, a government facility, could be compromised, especially concerning evidence of possible torture or drugging.
They are demanding independent medical examinations at a neutral facility, but the police insist on testing at Parirenyatwa.
It is alleged that Mabvirakare arrived home late on the evening of March 5, dropped her bag inside the house, remembered she hadn’t closed the gate, went back out to secure it, and was then kidnapped.
Mabvirakare’s abduction has sparked widespread concern, with many viewing it as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated violence, particularly against women and activists.
Her case echoes the tragic abduction and murder of former CCC member Moreblessing Ali in 2022 by Pius Jamba, who had been linked to ZANU PF.
More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/abducted-environmentalist-mabvirakare-found-a-week-later-with-signs-of-trauma-rights-activists/">ZimLive</a>

Nadia Vongai Mabvirakare, an environmentalist, was kidnapped and found in shock and trauma after five days. She was working on a tree-planting project but faced financial struggles. A politician, Batsirai Matiza, got involved and tried to control her project, leading to a court battle. When he failed to attend a meeting, she was abducted. Matiza was accused of being behind the kidnapping. Mabvirakare's family is worried about how her case is being handled by the police and the possibility of evidence being compromised. Many see her abduction as part of a pattern of violence against women and activists.

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