According to reliable sources, the High Court sheriff made an attempt to remove businessman Tendai Mashamhanda from his US$1.5 million mansion on Thursday, despite ongoing litigation surrounding the issue.

The sheriff’s attempt to carry out the eviction was thwarted for reasons that are not yet clear.

Mashamhanda has been engaged in a legal dispute with Bariade Investments (Pvt) Ltd over the property he has occupied for the past four years.

The property, located in Highlands, was purchased by Mashamhanda from Harare lawyer Pihwai Chiutsi for US$230,000 while under judicial attachment in September 2017.

Subsequently, Bariade Investments acquired the property through a valid Sheriff’s sale, even though it had obtained defective title.

Mashamhanda obtained ownership of the property on May 5, 2022, and has resided there since 2020.

Despite acknowledging the loss of the house to Bariade Investments, Mashamhanda filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court earlier this month, seeking a six-month extension of his eviction notice. He cited the risk of homelessness for his minor children if he were not given more time to find alternative accommodation.

Additionally, Mashamhanda has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging his eviction, with judgement on the matter pending.

The High Court had previously ordered Mashamhanda’s eviction from the property, ruling that it was fraudulently acquired. However, the presiding judge later recused himself, and the case was struck off the roll by another judge.

In response to the intended eviction, Mashamhanda’s lawyers, Rangarirai and Partners, communicated with the Sheriff, asserting that there was a pending court application, which should halt the eviction process until the matter is resolved.

Mashamhanda himself stated that he was unaware of why the eviction attempt failed, as he was not present at home at the time.