By A Correspondent| A MUREWA based lady, Nadia Vongai Mabvirakare who was accusing youth league secretary for Environment Batsirai Matiza for trying to grab a nursery project had her claims dismissed by the High Court.
In her court filings, Nadia sought an injunction to prevent Matiza from accessing the project, arguing that neither Matiza had no ownership rights or an agreement permitting their involvement.
However, the High Court ruled that Matiza was, in fact, the chief financier of the project, concluding that Nadia lacked the authority to claim sole ownership.
“So the outcome, the application for an order to interdict has been dismissed on the basis that they had made a material non-disclosure to the court were they had said Batsirai Matiza was not the owner of that project and she was the owner of the project,” Matiza’s lawyers from Samukange and Venturas law chambers said.
“We produced a Memorandum of Understanding in which it showed that these guys had a partnership agreement. Batsi would provide funding and then she would provide the expertise. There was a joint venture.
“We told the court that the accuser was lying and he failed to defend herself so the court ruled in favour of Batsi.
“We also mentioned this person is actually on the police wanted list. So her coming to court was trying to counter the criminal reports. So it means she still has to go to the police to answer the issue of embezzlement of funds. She wanted to portray herself as the sole owner and the court dismissed it,” they added.
This comes after Matiza’s ambitious tree nursery project in Murehwa is not only contributing to reforestation efforts but also generating employment opportunities within the community.
Matiza’s initiative has successfully planted over 1 million trees in his nursery, with plans to distribute 100,000 saplings to each province across Zimbabwe.
The nursery aptly named in honour of his late mother, Lillian Matiza – who was a nurturer and mother of many in her community, is located just across his grandmother’s house in Chemapango, Murehwa.
This large-scale effort aims to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability while simultaneously providing jobs for local youth.
According to the project manager Familia Mavhima, the primary objective of the nursery is to address the urgent issue of climate change while fostering economic development in the country.
Matiza says he has plans to distribute 100,000 saplings to each province across Zimbabwe.
“We believe that by empowering our youth through job creation, we not only enhance their livelihoods but also engage them in vital environmental stewardship,” Mavhima stated.
The project has attracted the interest of local institutions and environmental organizations, with plans for workshops and training sessions to educate community members on sustainable practices and the importance of tree planting.
In addition, Ms. Mavhima has emphasized the ecological benefits of reforestation, including combating soil erosion, enhancing biodiversity, and improving air quality.
Community members have expressed enthusiasm about the project, noting that it has already led to various employment opportunities, including nursery management, planting, and maintenance roles.
The project currently employs just over 100 people in Murehwa.
Local resident and project participant, Taurai Chindowa shared, “This project has given us a chance to earn a living and also contribute positively to our environment. It’s a win-win situation.”
The Murehwa tree nursery project is a significant step toward environmental sustainability in Zimbabwe, highlighting the potential for local initiatives to address global challenges while empowering communities.