MIDWEEK WATCH REPORTER
MASVINGO-Embattled late Simbarashe Huni executor, Kumbirai Mugwazi has until the end of day to clarify irregularities cited in the way he handled the estate.
The late Huni’s second wife, Edeline Mashiri raised eyebrows on the way Mugwazi was deducting his commission which ranged between 6.5% and 10% which is against the statutes that govern the estates.
Mashiri alleged that Mugwazi was overcharging the estate and concealed some properties from the beneficiaries who include two minor children and the first wife, Senator Emma Ncube Huni.
In a letter to Mugwazi the Master of the High Court requested for clarification on a number of issues to do with the estate which were allegedly not properly accounted for.
On allegations that he tempered with the final estate Mugwazi was told to state in his income and expenditure account the income that accrued from the estate.
He was also asked, “to attend to payment of Master’s fees of 4% on income accrued as accounted for on the income and expenditure accounts. It is common cause that the Master charges 4% tax on value of both immovable assets owned by the late and this includes income accruing and accounted for by the executor before transfer of assets to the beneficiaries.
“Information on record indicates that after confirmation of the Account, the beneficiaries mandated you to collect proceeds from the farm and terminate employees’ contracts.
“We have noted that it is against this backdrop you charged 6.5% on the income and expenditure account as Executor’s collection commission contrary to the dictates of S.I 59 of 2018 which requires you to charge 5% collection fee, the S.I you relied on was repealed by S.I 59 of 2018. As such kindly amend your account accordingly,” reads part of the letter dated March 15, 2023 from the Master.
Mugwazi was also asked to give an update on the Mining Claim of the Rujeko property which he was tasked to ascertain by the Masvingo Master but did not do so.
He was also asked to facilitate the transfer of assets to beneficiaries including pension for the two minor children which had not been done.
He had also charged fees for litigation but there was no such a thing during the administration of the estate, he was therefore asked to account for the funds that were set aside for that purpose.
The Master also noted that the money that was in the bank account was enough to cover his commission but he allegedly went on to deduct money from farming proceeds, “in this regard we call you to further clarify how much you collected as executor’s fees”.
Huni died during the height of COVID-19 in 2021 and his estate was wound up in June 2022, but the executor is still being involved in its affairs which prompted Mashiri to raise the matter with the Master in Harare after failing to get satisfactory answers from the Masvingo Master.
