Air Force of Zimbabwe targets Mashwede Amid Bitter Legal Feud
By Staff Reporter
HARARE – The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has ordered the Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) to cancel all future editions of the Mashwede Golf Tournament, citing an escalating legal battle over the ownership of Falcon Golf Club’s properties in Hatfield.
In a letter dated September 30, 2026, AFZ Command Sports Officer, Air Commodore K. Zimbudzana, informed ZGA President B. Gandawa that the military is reclaiming the course. The AFZ justifies the takeover under Statutory Instrument 72 of 2025, titled Defence (Cantonment) (Defence Forces) Notice, 2026 (No. 56), which designates the area as military land.
The directive follows a High Court challenge launched on September 12, 2026, by Falcon Golf Club against the Minister of Defence and the Commander of the Air Force. The club is contesting the legality of the military’s claim to the property.
“Subsequently, an Inter-Security-Service Golf Team Tournament was held… marking the reclamation,” Air Commodore Zimbudzana wrote. “Regrettably, on 12 September 2026, Mr. Alex Mashamhanda sued the Minister of Defence and Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe contesting the legal ownership of the course. Due to this legal contestation, the Air Force of Zimbabwe wishes to advise the Zimbabwe Golf Association that the scheduled Mashwede Golf Classic Tournament, sponsored by Mr. Mashamhanda, will no longer be held at Falcon Golf Course.”
The ban targets the popular tournament’s benefactor, Mr. Alex Mashamhanda, a prominent businessman. However, insiders familiar with the dispute have labeled the AFZ’s decision as “misdirected retribution.”
“The order has no basis,” said a source close to the club. “The applicant in the court case is Falcon Golf Club, not Mr. Mashamhanda personally. He was simply appointed by the club committee to represent them as a trustee for administrative purposes. Targeting him as an individual is absurd and appears to be a personal vendetta.”
Minutes from an executive committee meeting held on October 1, 2026, confirm the club’s position. The committee resolved to file for a High Court Review against the Minister of Defence, the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), and the Commander of the AFZ.
The resolution stated: “Alex Elias Mashamhanda, in his capacity as a trustee of Falcon Golf Club, is authorized to represent the club in the High Court application and sign all necessary documents relating to this matter.”
The cancellation of the Mashwede Golf Classic is a significant blow to the local golfing calendar, as the legal battle over the Hatfield property threatens to drag on in the courts.
