Top lawyer Wilson Manase is being investigated by the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) for allegedly abusing the estate of a late businesswoman, which he has been failing to finalise for over 22 years.
Manase, who was appointed executor of the late Sandra Jane Maisiri’s estate, is accused of selling and renting out properties without consulting the deceased’s family members.
He was allegedly not remitting the funds to the beneficiaries, and failed to account for money in Maisiri’s offshore account.
One of the beneficiaries, Tongai Mhlanga has approached the LSZ after taking the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) where it is being investigated under case RRB No 3859/2023.
The LSZ has now written to the master of the High Court requesting a copy of Maisiri’s estate.
According to the letter dated June 11, Manase has failed to account for two ERF trucks, two Isuzu KB pick-up trucks, three 30-tonne trailers, shop 49 A Marondera, stand number 2254, 2255 and 2256 Cherutombo Township, Marondera, stand number 8822 St Johns Way, Southerton, Harare, a house at number 50 Sloane Street, Highlands, Harare and another at number 299 Samora Machel Avenue, Eastlea, Harare.
Manase has also allegedly failed to account for £45 000 in a Backlays Bank account in the United Kingdom.
“It is also alleged that the respondent has been collecting rentals from various properties which belong to the estate over the years and has failed to account for the same,” reads part of the LSZ letter.
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Further to this, the respondent has failed to wind up the estate for over [22] years.
“Our office intends to commence investigations into the alleged unprofessional conduct and we, therefore, request for a copy of the master's report on this estate.
“We further request for your comments/views regarding why the winding up of the estate has been protracted.”
In a report to Zacc, Mhlanga said he was supposed to benefit from the house along wSamora Machel valued at US$350 000 but to date, the house has not been transferred to him amid fears that its title has already been changed to a third party.
Other listed beneficiaries are Frank Maisiri, Abigail Mhlanga, Isabel Mhlanga, Jessica Madzimure, Hazel Madzimure and Nyasha Madzimure.
“Some assets and bank accounts in the United Kingdom were deliberately left from the distribution account by the accused person and to date, we do not know what transpired,” Mhlanga wrote.
He also noted that stand 8822 St Johns Way, Southerton, valued at US$300 000 which belonged to his mother was never listed on her estate.
He later noticed that someone was already putting up structures on the stand, and when approached, he disclosed that he bought the stand from Manase.
Manase also allegedly sold the Marondera shop and never remitted the money to the beneficiaries.
Mhlanga said he has engaged Manase on numerous occasions to recover the properties, but he was either too busy, out of town, out of the country or did not pick up calls.
Manase was not reachable for comment yesterday despite repeated efforts.
