Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
AN estates administrator has appeared in court on allegations of stealing more than US$91 000 in trust funds that had been entrusted to him by two beneficiaries for the administration of their estates.
Tryson Mapinde (32) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai facing charges of theft of trust property.
He was represented by lawyer Mr Killian Mandiki, and the court is expected to hand down its ruling on bail today.
The complainants are Bruce Williams Odendaal (58) of Kadoma and Shamaine Odendaal (70), both beneficiaries of separate estates that Mapinde was hired to manage in 2022.
As part of his duties, Mapinde registered the estates and facilitated the distribution of assets to the beneficiaries.
However, in 2024, the complainants allegedly gave him US$26 850 and US$64 450, respectively, to pay Master’s fees to the Master of the High Court — money he is accused of later converting to his personal use.
Investigations revealed that Mapinde allegedly failed to pay the required fees and instead disappeared with the funds.
Efforts by the complainants to locate him proved fruitless, prompting them to file a police report that led to his arrest.
Prosecutors said the total amount misappropriated was US$91 300, and none of the stolen money has been recovered.
