Mugabe's former spin doctor fights eviction

Mugabe's former spin doctor fights eviction

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• ADMORE TSHUMA: Jonathan Moyo, my hero

• PROFILE: JONATHAN NATHANIEL MOYO

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• Full text of Moyo's reply to dismissal from government

• Moyo slams Zanu PF 'politics of patronage'

• Mugabe drops Moyo from Cabinet

• Mugabe's spin doctor quits, goes independent

• Msika snubs Moyo's Tsholotsho plea

• Moyo bombshell: Gukurahundi killed my dad

• Matsanga delights in Moyo's misfortunes

• Moyo sues Dabengwa, Nkomo for $2bln

• Zanu PF lifts Langa, Ncube's suspension

• Moyo: 'Tsholotsho will hold Nkomo to account'

• Moyo lays into Nkomo, Dabengwa as Zanu PF stalls on Tsholotsho

By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S embattled former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo has picked up a legal battle with his former employers over the Gunhill property which has been his home since his appointment to Cabinet in 2000.

A judge was expected to rule on Wednesday if a government eviction notice giving a 4pm deadline last Sunday was enough notice. Moyo's lawyers argued at the High Court on Tuesday that if evicted, Moyo could face hardship

Moyo was dismissed from government two weeks ago after he decided to stand as an independent parliamentary candidate in Tsholotsho in the March 31 elections.

All benefits he enjoyed, including a government mobile phone, chauffer-driven Mercedes and the Gunhill property were supposed to be surrendered back.

But Moyo had remained put at the house, prompting civil servants to issue an eviction notice last Saturday, giving him until 4pm the next day to vacate.

Evidently itching for a battle with his former employers, Moyo immediately sought a provisional court order leading to Tuesday's Chamber arguments before Justice Tedias Karwi.

Through his lawyer, Johannes Tomana of Muzangaza, Mandaza and Tomana, Moyo said he was entitled to three months notice before vacating the property.

Moyo also argued that the Secretary for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, David Munyoro, had told him during a telephone conversation that he could stay for up to three months -- a position he later confirmed in writing before making a spectacular U-Turn at the weekend.

The irony is not lost on Moyo's opponents who for a long time have accused him of ignoring court orders, particularly with reference to the now banned Daily News. On several occasions, Moyo accused judges of making "night judgements in night courts" and urged police to prevent the paper from publishing.

However, a political analyst told New Zimbabwe.com last night that "Moyo has enough money to buy any property anywhere anytime", and his latest fight with the government was a "political knock-about to irritate and infuriate his enemies in government."
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