Two women in fight over deceased husband’s estate

By Vunganayi Bachi

A legal dispute has arisen following the death of Innocent Sabona, and the matter is currently being addressed at the High Court, where two women are vying for the right to inherit Sabona’s estate.

In this case, which illustrates the negative impacts of polygamy, Vuyelwa Nkomo (pictured), a female soldier stationed at Thornhill Airbase, claims to be the sole beneficiary of Sabona’s estate and seeks to prevent his first wife, Hilda Sabona, from receiving any inheritance.

Hilda contends that she is entitled to the estate, as she holds a marriage certificate and has been named next of kin in several documents left by the deceased.

Although Vuyelwa possesses a valid marriage certificate from her marriage to Twala Phiri, which was solemnized at the Gweru Magistrates Court on March 15, 2013, she asserts that she and Sabona were cohabiting at the time of his death and that he had divorced Hilda.

Hilda, on the other hand, argues that she had not separated from her husband as he continued to pay for all their policies and never formally annulled their marriage before his passing.

Hilda also claims that Vuyelwa was merely Sabona’s girlfriend, emphasizing her own status as Twala’s legal spouse, supported by their valid marriage certificate. She states there is no evidence to suggest a customary union existed between Vuyelwa and Sabona.

In light of these claims, Vuyelwa is requesting the court to bar Hilda from receiving any proceeds from Sabona’s pension.

The deceased Sabona’ had three children with his first wife Hildah and a year-old kid with Vuyelwa.