Prominent Zimbabwean corporate executive Never Mhlanga is set to appear in court this morning in Harare, facing serious fraud charges arising from the controversial sale of Montclair Hotel and Casino in Juliasdale, Nyanga, to the Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG). The case has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s corporate and financial sectors, not only because of the US$5 million transaction at its centre but also due to the reputation of the man accused, who has long been regarded as one of the country’s most seasoned corporate strategists and turnaround specialists.
The roots of the dispute trace back to November of last year, when RTG acquired Montclair Hotel and Casino for US$5 million. At the heart of the transaction was the participation of Ludham Investments (Pvt) Ltd, a company originally created by the now-defunct National Discount House (NDH). Mhlanga, who once served as a senior executive at NDH before its collapse in the early 2000s, has been accused of fraudulently pushing through the deal despite allegedly having no legal authority to act on Ludham’s behalf.
The National Discount House, a once-prominent financial institution, went into liquidation around 2004 after severe financial difficulties. While some of its subsidiaries, including NDH Equities, were sold or restructured and survived under new ownership, Ludham Investments retained shareholding in Montclair Hotel. Over the years, that stake remained a valuable asset. When RTG moved to purchase Montclair, the shares became a key part of the acquisition deal. According to complaints lodged by former NDH executives, Mhlanga had ceased to be a director of Ludham long before the deal with RTG was struck. They argue that following NDH’s collapse, Ludham’s ownership structure and directorship were altered, leaving Mhlanga with no mandate to represent the company. Yet, despite this, he is accused of playing a central role in orchestrating the US$5 million sale.
The allegations claim that Mhlanga “fraudulently facilitated” the transaction, effectively misrepresenting his authority and acting without the knowledge or consent of Ludham’s legitimate directors. These claims were serious enough to trigger a full-scale police investigation, culminating in Mhlanga’s arrest in Harare yesterday. The arrest has now brought him to the dock, where he faces formal fraud charges that could lead to a drawn-out legal battle likely to dominate Zimbabwe’s business news for months to come.
Mhlanga’s arrest has not only rattled those involved in the deal but has also stunned the broader corporate world, where he is widely respected as a professional with an impressive three-decade career. A University of Zimbabwe-trained chartered accountant, he built his reputation through involvement in some of the country’s most high-profile restructuring, privatisation and commercialisation projects. His track record includes playing a key role in the privatisation and subsequent listing of Dairibord Holdings Limited, facilitating the management buyout of David Whitehead Textiles from Lonrho, and steering the merger that created NicozDiamond Insurance Limited. In the financial sector, he provided advisory support during the consolidation of Trust, Royal and Barbican banks into the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Banking Group and also played a role in CBZ Holdings’ takeover of Beverley Building Society.
Beyond these landmark transactions, Mhlanga has consistently positioned himself as a corporate strategist and change management expert. His career spans multiple industries banking, insurance, manufacturing, construction, stockbroking, and development making him one of the most versatile figures in Zimbabwe’s business landscape. He has served as executive director, principal consultant and trainer at Parker Randall Strategy, held board positions in listed and unlisted companies, and contributed his expertise to quasi-governmental bodies. He has also been active in charitable and religious boards, adding to his profile as a corporate leader committed to broader social causes.
However, the Montclair Hotel controversy threatens to overshadow much of that legacy. The allegations, if proven in court, could redefine his career and reputation, undermining his longstanding image as a “turnaround specialist” and respected advisor. The stakes are high, not only for Mhlanga himself but also for stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality sector, where RTG’s acquisition of Montclair was hailed as a potential boost to investment and development in Nyanga.
As the case begins today, many in Zimbabwe’s business community will be watching closely. Some see the proceedings as a necessary test of accountability and corporate governance in a country where business deals have often been shrouded in controversy. Others regard it as a shocking fall from grace for one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent executives. Regardless of the eventual outcome, the Montclair Hotel case has already become one of the most talked-about corporate fraud scandals in recent years, ensuring that Never Mhlanga’s court appearance will mark the beginning of a high-profile legal battle with far-reaching implications.
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