Widows, orphans and people with disabilities remain among the most vulnerable to property grabbing in Zimbabwe, prompting authorities to intensify awareness campaigns on new inheritance and estate administration laws.
That was the focus of a stakeholder engagement meeting held in Filabusi on Thursday by the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, in partnership with the Office of the Master of the High Court.
Addressing traditional leaders, local stakeholders and residents, Lloyd Dube from the Master of the High Court in Bulawayo said recent legal reforms were introduced to close loopholes that had historically left vulnerable groups exposed to exploitation after the death of a family member.
“The law is there to protect women, orphans and people with disabilities. No one can simply sell or transfer property belonging to a deceased person,” Dube said.
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He explained that the Master of the High Court oversees inheritance matters, corporate rescue, liquidation, and the protection of children’s rights and property belonging to people unable to manage their own affairs.
Dube said registering an estate begins with submitting a death notice and an inventory of the deceased’s assets, including land, houses, livestock, vehicles and company shares.
He said families must nominate an executor to administer the estate and register it within 14 days of death.
“Anyone can register the estate, as long as they are related to the deceased,” he said.
Executors are required to submit a full inventory of assets for valuation, with a 4% government tax payable in either US dollars or ZiG. They must also advertise the estate in newspapers for one month before the distribution process begins.
Dube warned against concealing assets or disposing of property before the estate has been finalised.
“No property can be sold while it is still registered in the deceased’s name unless all heirs agree,” he said.
Officials also said reforms to marriage laws now ensure equal recognition of civil, customary and qualified civil marriages in inheritance matters.
Under the new legal framework, surviving spouses remain entitled to inherit the matrimonial home regardless of the type of recognised marriage.
Couples in customary unions were encouraged to obtain confirmation certificates after lobola payment to strengthen legal recognition of their marriages. Informal divorce, officials said, is neither recommended nor legally recognised.
Residents were also urged to write wills to reduce family disputes after death.
Dube said filing a will costs US$25, or the ZiG equivalent, as a once-off payment, after which the document is kept at the Master’s office.
“The advantage of having a will is that it gives people freedom of testation, allows them to choose an executor and reduces the likelihood of family disputes,” he said.
The Ministry said the reforms are intended to strengthen legal protection for women, children and orphans, while ensuring equal treatment under inheritance law for all recognised marriages.
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