SISTERS FINALLY INHERIT THEIR PROPERTY, THIRTY YEARS LATER

Gilbert Munetsi

THE Office of the Master of the High Court has stepped in to resolve a long-running inheritance dispute that deprived two Marondera sisters of their rightful share of a family property for nearly three decades.

The case revolves around a residential property in Dombotombo, Marondera, which became the subject of confusion and exploitation following the death of its owner in 1998.

In a rare twist of fate two brothers, who migrated from Malawi to Zimbabwe, shared the same name — Kasiya Langwani — despite having different national identification numbers.

The elder brother settled in Harare, where he worked as a gardener in Chisipite, while the younger brother made his home in Marondera after acquiring Stand Number 15 Tafara Road in Dombotombo.

The younger Langwani established a family and was survived by three children — son Coldmate Langwani and daughters Beauty and Jane — when he passed away in 1998.

At the time of his death, the children were still very young.

Coldmate was eight years old while his sisters were only four years and one-year-old respectively.

According to information gathered during the administration of the estate, the children’s tender ages allegedly made them vulnerable to manipulation.

Relatives linked to the elder Kasiya Langwani allegedly assumed control of the Marondera property and began collecting rental income that should have benefited the deceased’s children and dependants.

The situation was further complicated over the years when one of the sons of the late gardener allegedly married Coldmate’s widow, following his death, strengthening the family’s influence over the disputed property.

For years, the rightful beneficiaries remained unaware of the legal avenues available to assert their inheritance rights.

However, recent developments saw the surviving sisters seek the assistance of estate administrator, Passmore Nyasha of Moreway Executors, who initiated legal processes through the Office of the Master of the High Court to establish the property’s legitimate ownership.

The intervention has resulted in the property being restored to the rightful beneficiaries.

The family has since agreed to sell the house and share the proceeds in accordance with inheritance laws.

Nyasha confirmed that while the transfer process to a prospective buyer is underway, a three-month notice period has been issued to occupants of the property.

He said the lawful beneficiaries of the estate are Beauty Langwani, Jane Langwani and Coldmate Langwani’s surviving spouse, with whom the deceased had a child.

Across Zimbabwe, numerous families continue to lose properties, pensions, death benefits and other assets because rightful beneficiaries are either unaware of their legal entitlements or lack the resources to pursue them.

Legal experts say many widows, children and other dependants remain vulnerable to dispossession by opportunistic relatives who take advantage of their limited knowledge of inheritance procedures.

The Langwani case serves as a reminder that while justice may sometimes be delayed, the law provides mechanisms to protect beneficiaries and restore assets to their rightful owners.

It also underscores the need for greater public education on estate administration to prevent countless other Zimbabweans from being deprived of what is legally theirs.