By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutare, May 30, 2025 – The City of Mutare has officially taken back control of the historic Courtauld Theatre following a prolonged legal battle, a move hailed by the municipality as a restoration of public property, but met with concern by some in the arts community, who suspect the eviction stemmed from internal squabbles among tenants.
The takeover follows the August 2024 Supreme Court dismissal of an appeal by Mr. Henry Tsopotsa and his associates, affirming a 2023 Magistrates Court eviction order.
The City accuses the group of occupying the property unlawfully since 2016, collecting rental income, and excluding council from accessing or benefiting from the premises.
“This action marks the culmination of a long-standing effort to enforce court rulings and restore the theatre to its rightful owner, the people of Mutare,” said Town Clerk Kapuya Blessing Chafesuka in a statement issued Thursday.
Chafesuka categorically denied allegations that the City is targeting the arts sector. “These allegations are unfounded and do not reflect the truth of the matter,” he said.
The Courtauld Theatre was originally managed by the Courtauld Players Association, which operated under a deed stating the theatre would revert to City ownership upon the association’s dissolution.
“The association formally dissolved and transferred ownership of the theatre to the City,” Chafesuka explained. “However, before the City could assume control, Mr. Henry Tsopotsa and his associates unlawfully took over the premises.”
Despite legal proceedings initiated in 2016 and a court-sanctioned eviction, the occupants requested and were granted additional time until December 31, 2024 to vacate.
“Acting in good faith, the City agreed to this extension,” said Chafesuka. “But unfortunately, the occupants failed to cooperate, became unresponsive, and continued to illegally collect rent from third parties.”
An official from the Manicaland Theatre Association of Performing Arts, which Tsopotsa chairs, said the eviction may have been influenced by behind-the-scenes disagreements among those using the premises.
“When we took over the facility, we were members of the Courtauld Players Association,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We didn’t invade it. We were active users. But over time, there were differences between users, and we believe some of those tensions reached the City Council.”
While he did not elaborate on the alleged tensions, the official suggested that certain individuals within the arts community may have pushed for the eviction for personal reasons.
Meanwhile, the City says the theatre fell into severe neglect during the period of unauthorized occupation. “The building is currently in a state of disrepair and will require extensive renovations before it can be safely reopened for public use,” said Chafesuka.
He added that the premises had been misused for unrelated commercial activities.
“The theatre has been converted into spaces for non-cultural purposes, including salons, car washes, private offices, and illegal food outlets,” he said. “This inappropriate usage not only degraded the physical structure but also undermined the heritage and purpose of the facility.”
He further revealed that the main stage was now unsafe and unusable. “Reports indicate structural weaknesses and poor maintenance that have compromised the integrity of the performance space,” Chafesuka said. “The City has already had to manage legal delictual claims from individuals who sustained injuries while on the stage.”
Looking forward, the City plans to restore the facility and enrich its use. “There is no plan to demolish or repurpose the theatre itself,” Chafesuka stated. “The City intends to expand its function by incorporating the Mutare City Museum into the same premises, enriching its cultural and educational offerings.”
He said the renovated theatre will be accessible to all artists and cultural groups on fair and equitable terms. “Former occupants, including Mr. Tsopotsa and his team, will have access like any other citizen or group.”
The City also plans to construct new offices for the Director of Housing and Community Services on adjacent land — a development that will not affect the historic structure. “An architect has already been engaged to begin work on these new buildings,” Chafesuka said.
He also clarified that a catering business run by Mr. Sithole, known as Carvery, is a legitimate tenant. “His tenancy is distinct from the illegal occupation by Mr. Tsopotsa and will be reviewed separately when renovations commence.”
The Town Clerk concluded by urging residents and media to rely on official communication. “We remain committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting public assets, and serving the interests of all citizens,” he said.