The widow of the late Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) deputy director general Maynard Muzariri allegedly undervalued his properties to prejudice the state and potential beneficiaries.
Documents obtained from the Master of the High Court revealed an elaborate scheme that valued the national hero's four bedroomed Borrowdale house at US$45 000.
Its estimated value is well above US$700 000
The house, situated in The Golden Triangle of Rolf Valley in Harare sits on a 5 320 square metre stand.
It has a swimming pool and a tennis court.
In addition, Esther Muzariri valued a 10 000 square metre stand in Glen Lorne at US$5 000 as she filed for her estate.
The stand's value is believed to be at around US$1 500 000.
Although Muzariri’s estate was registered, it has not been distributed 11 years after his death.
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He left behind six children, but his wife registered only three of her biological children on the estate, sparking a dispute that has dragged on for more than a decade.
Disgruntled claimants of the estate, Tatenda Moses Muzariri, Chipo Tsitsi Muzariri and Prince Mutyambizi have, through their lawyers Madzima, Chidyausiku and Museta, written to the Master of the High Court to request a meeting with Esther as the executrix dative to iron out "gross irregularities" in the management of the estate file to date.
“The executrix dative grossly understated the assets in the estate to the potential prejudice of the state and estate beneficiaries,” a letter dated May 20, 2024 by the lawyers reads.
“Various immovable properties, including but not limited to, a 800 hectare farm known as Avounder Farm, fully equipped butchery and abbatoir, a commercial property in Rushinga, were not part of the assets list.
“Movable property of significant value were also suspiciously omitted from the inventory, this includes 3 combine harvesters, motor vehicles, 130 cattle, 50 goats and several farming equipment to the obvious detriment of the State and potential beneficiaries.
“In the result, we are instructed to request again that you convene a meeting with the executrix dative and all the beneficiaries to address these potentially fraudulent anomalies. Should you fail to respond to us within seven days of this letter, we are instructed to approach the courts for recourse."
An earlier request to a meeting back in 2022 had been rebuffed by Esther's lawyers, Samukange Hungwe Attorneys.
They argued that the estate had been finalised.
However, Madzima, Chidyausiku and Museta argued that: “Our law is clear that an estate is finalised on its complete liquidation.
“The position is confirmed in paragraph 5 of the letter from Messrs Samukange Hungwe...
“The executrix dative has not fully liquidated the estate and therefore remains responsible to answer and address her acts and/or omissions,” they added.
Muzariri’s wife has continued to hold on to the properties.
The estate was registered under DR772/11 and on July 12, 2011 after a meeting was held that nominated his surviving spouse as executive director.
Muzariri died at the age of 56.
After the attainment of independence in 1980, Muzariri was deployed to the Prime Minister’s Office as an intelligence officer.
He was later promoted to the post of director internal in April 1997.
In 2003, the late Robert Mugabe appointed him deputy director general in the president’s department, a rank he held at the time of his death.
