Chivayo Family Registers Estate With Master of High Court
The family of the late socialite Wicknell Chivayo has registered his estate with the Master of the High Court, setting in motion the legal process to administer his business interests and personal fortune.
According to The Sunday Mail, the estate was registered about three weeks ago, and an initial meeting has been held to discuss the way forward.
However, no executor or executrix has been appointed yet. This means the formal process of identifying assets, establishing liabilities and determining how his wealth will be distributed is yet to start.
Senior officials at the Master of the High Court confirmed the development to The Sunday Mail but declined to disclose details of the estate, whose value is believed to run into millions of US dollars.
“We can confirm that the estate was registered about three weeks ago, and a first meeting was held. But the executor or executrix of the estate is yet to be appointed,” said an official.
Another official said the Master’s Office was not yet in a position to discuss the administration of the estate.
“We will get in touch with you when we are ready and have something to say about the estate, but as of now, we cannot give you the finer details of the estate,” he said.
Chivayo died alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, in a helicopter crash on 30 September in Marondera.
He left behind two minor children with his former wife, Sonja Madzikanda, and a substantial estate whose administration is expected to attract considerable attention.
One of the main outstanding matters is a US$25 million matrimonial property and asset division dispute involving Madzikanda, which was awaiting determination by the Supreme Court.
Following Chivayo’s death, the matter was removed from the court roll pending the appointment of an executor or executrix to represent his estate. His lawyer, Sylvester Hashiti, confirmed the development.
“The matter was removed from the roll on account of appellant’s demise until such a time he is substituted by his executor or executrix who will represent him in court as concerns any claims against his estate,” said Hashiti.
Under Zimbabwe’s civil procedure, a deceased litigant cannot continue to participate in court proceedings, and a legally recognised representative must be appointed where litigation survives death.
Legal experts said Chivayo’s death does not automatically extinguish any claims Madzikanda may have against his estate. The outstanding dispute is expected to be one of the major issues the administrator will have to address.
Sources close to the matter said Madzikanda’s legal team intends to pursue its claims, including property division and maintenance, once an executor has been appointed. *Pindula*
