TOP lawyer Wilson Manase has been given a 14-day ultimatum by the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) to explain why he has failed to finalise the execution of the estate of a late businesswoman.
Manase is also accused of abusing the estate by selling and renting out properties of Jane Maisiri’s estate without consulting family members of the deceased.
He was allegedly not remitting the funds to the beneficiaries, and failed to account for money in Maisiri’s offshore account.
Manase of Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners was appointed executor of the late Sandra Jane Maisiri’s estate.
Maisiri’s son, Tongai Mhlanga, filed a complaint against Manase with the LSZ alleging that the executor failed to account for some of the estate’s property.
Mhlanga also alleged that Maisiri had been collecting rentals from various properties that belong to the estate over the years, and failed to account for the funds.
In a letter dated July 12, 2024, addressed to Mapara, LSZ executive secretary Edward Mapara said the allegations pointed to a possible violation of lawyers’ code of conduct.
“These allegations point to a possible contravention of By-Laws 3 (20) of the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) By-Laws, 2018 S I 37 of 2018- engaging in conduct that is likely to diminish public confidence in the legal profession or bring the legal profession into disrepute,” part of the letter reads.
“If you fail to respond within the stipulated time frame (14 days), negative inferences may be drawn against you, and the matter may be forwarded to the disciplinary and ethics committee (DEC) without further reference to you.”
Mapara added: “You are, therefore, requested to furnish as much evidence as possible in substantiating any averments you may make in relation to this complaint investigation.”
Before writing to Manase, the LSZ also inquired from the master of the High Court why the execution of the deceased’s estate had taken so long.
In response to the LSZ inquiry in a letter dated July 2, 2024, the master of the High Court said Manase had failed to give his office a satisfactory explanation.
“On record, we have an inventory with the movable properties mentioned in your letter; however, the said assets were not dealt with in the authorised liquidation and distribution accounts," part of the letter reads.
“We are yet to receive any proof of transfer of the properties from the executor or acquaintances from the beneficiaries to enable us to retire the bond of security and also close our record.
“The executor has failed to give us any satisfactory explanation as to why it has taken so long for him to transfer the assets to the beneficiaries as per the approved distribution accounts.”
According to Mhlanga, Manase failed to account for a number of vehicles and residential properties.
Manase has also allegedly failed to account for £ 45,000 in a Barclays Bank account in the United Kingdom.
Mhlanga said he was supposed to benefit from the house along Samora Machel Avenue valued at US$350 000 but to date, the house has not been transferred to him.
Manase is also alleged to have failed to list some of the assets, including stand 8822 St Johns Way, Southerton, valued at US$300 000.
The family alleged someone was already developing the stand and when approached, claimed he bought the property from Manase.
Manase also allegedly sold the Marondera shop and never remitted the money to the beneficiaries.
Other listed beneficiaries are Frank Maisiri, Abigail Mhlanga, Isabel Mhlanga, Jessica Madzimure, Hazel Madzimure and Nyasha Madzimure.