adminMatthew Masinge
FORMER Gutu District Administrator, Makepeace Muzenda, who fraudulently transferred her late husband’s property into her name, has been ordered to surrender it for lawful distribution.
Muzenda had changed ownership ahead of distribution of the late Masvingo businessman, Kudakwashe Mutongi’s estate, by the executor Freddy Chimbari.
Mutongi had two wives and Muzenda used her influence at the Gutu Rural District Council and connived with officials to change ownership of the property into her name.
However, after a full trial, High Court judge, Justice Owen Tagu, declared the change of ownership null and void.
“She conceded that she was allocated the stand without following due process.
“In my view, the possibility of connivance with the Gutu RDC chief executive officer or even corruption is very high.
“Since the estate has not been administered to finality, it is unclear how she was allocated the stand in question.
“The same applies to the Gutu RDC officials; they failed to show that what they did was above board.
“It is not coincidental that they (Gutu RDC) allocated a stand to Muzenda, when records indicate the same stand was in the name of the deceased during his lifetime considering that the late Mutongi and Muzenda were husband and wife,” reads the judge’s findings.
Justice Tagu ordered that the property be returned for distribution to beneficiaries.
“Stand Number 414 Gutu is considered to be property of the late Kudakwashe Mutongi and is liable for distribution to his beneficiaries.
“The transfer of the property from the estate of the late Kudakwashe Mutongi to Makepeace Muzenda is declared null and void,” ruled the judge.
The Mutongi estate executor, Chimbari, proved his case beyond doubt.
According to documents, Mutongi had lease rights for Stand Number 414 in the Gutu RDC with an option to buy the commercial property.
Following his death, it was listed in the inventory field at the Master of the High Court as Mutongi’s property.
Allegations are that sometime in 2009, Muzenda allegedly caused the transfer of the same property from the deceased’s estate into her name after conniving with officials at Gutu RDC.
Online Reporter