Zimbabwean Investor Paul Westwood Seeks Compensation from Ruling Party Officials
By a correspondent in Harare
A British‑Zimbabwean businessman, Paul Westwood, has gone public with a sweeping grievance against senior figures in the ZANU‑PF government, alleging that a series of property seizures and alleged intimidation have left him and dozens of his employees out of pocket and out of work.
Westwood’s case centres on two local firms Noshio Motors and Benbar Manufacturing which together employ about 65 workers. According to a letter addressed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and circulated on social media, Westwood claims that Temba Mliswa, a prominent ZANU‑PF stalwart, used the country’s indigenisation laws as a pretext to seize the businesses for personal gain. The letter also accuses Mliswa of falsely claiming presidential approval for the take‑over and of enlisting the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Didymus Mutasa, to block any legal recourse.
“The seizure was carried out under the guise of indigenisation, but it appears to be nothing more than a politically‑motivated grab for assets,” the letter states. It cites alleged violations of Section 184(1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, which criminalises the obstruction of justice.
Westwood, who has lived in Zimbabwe for years and describes himself as a “loyal permanent resident,” says the actions have forced him to flee the country after receiving threats against his family, including his wife and children. He is now seeking compensation from the government and a full investigation into the alleged misconduct.
The complaint also draws a parallel with the treatment of foreign investors, urging the Zimbabwean authorities to apply the same standards to British and EU nationals as they do to local citizens. “If the rule of law means anything, it must protect all investors, regardless of nationality,” the letter adds.
ZANU‑PF officials have not yet responded publicly to the accusations. The party’s press office declined to comment when contacted, citing ongoing legal matters.
The case has sparked a fresh wave of discussion about the application of indigenisation policies and the broader climate for foreign investment in Zimbabwe. While the government maintains that the laws are intended to empower local citizens, critics argue that they have sometimes been used to reward political allies.
Westwood’s plea, signed by UK MP Lindsay Roy, calls for “justice and fairness” and asks that the matter be pursued “on behalf of Mr Westwood, his family, and the 65 employees who have lost their livelihoods.”
The story is ongoing, and further details are expected as the alleged victims seek legal avenues to reclaim their assets.
