Harare — The High Court sitting in Harare has ordered the forfeiture of eight motor vehicles linked to eight fugitives who are currently at large, in a ruling that reinforces the judiciary’s stance on assets connected to wanted individuals.

The court’s decision came in the matter of the Prosecutor General versus Square Chimweta, Hilton Mutsopotsi, Daniel Chijoko, Joseph Meki, Leonard Huni, Makudo Muzenda, Stephen Mudzingwa, and Sam Malunga, who remain at large, with the Central Vehicle Registry cited as the ninth respondent.

In its ruling, the court ordered the forfeiture of multiple vehicles, including a red Nissan X-Trail with registration number AEV 9794, a BMW bearing South African registration plate CNJ43G, and a Toyota Corolla registered as ADM 9574.

Also listed for forfeiture are a Mazda Verisa, a silver Toyota Granvia bearing registration number AEH 8284, a Mitsubishi Colt registered as ABT 9547, an unregistered pink Honda Fit, and a Mercedes Benz whose specific registration details were not provided.

The court directed the Central Vehicle Registry to register ownership of the forfeited property in favour of the State.

“The judgment affirms the judiciary’s firm position on assets linked to fugitives and consolidates the State’s mandate to reclaim property through forfeiture proceedings,” reads the court order.

The ruling marks a significant step in the State’s efforts to recover assets believed to have been acquired through illicit means, even as the individuals in question remain outside the reach of law enforcement authorities.