Former ZBC presenter ordered to give back estate

By Mashudu Netsianda

The High Court has ordered former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio presenter, Alice Masuku, to get her hands off an estate she fraudulently inherited from her late half-brother, Mbizo Masuku, after she allegedly purported to be his surviving spouse.

Alice is a former presenter of Inhlupho Zanamhla, a Radio Zimbabwe programme which focuses on socio-cultural and economic challenges faced by families and individuals, especially widows and the disadvantaged in society.

She was locked in a legal wrangle with her late half-brother’s son, Natsho, over a house in Old Pumula suburb in Bulawayo which she is alleged to have fraudulently inherited.

The ruling by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi follows a court application by Natsho challenging a decision by the then provincial magistrate Sikhumbuzo Nyathi to appoint Alice heir to the estate.

Alice had lied that she was Mbizo’s widow while Natsho claimed to be the rightful heir.

“It is ordered that all rights, privileges, entitlements and benefits accruing from the letters of administration issued in favour of second respondent (Alice) be and are hereby nullified.

The winding of the estate of Mbizo Masuku who died on December 4, 2002 is set aside and the estate be re-opened for fresh administration,” ruled the judge.

Justice Mathonsi said an edict meeting should be convened within 10 days of the order with Natsho being party to the proceedings.

The judge ordered Alice to pay the legal costs incurred by the applicant.

In court papers, Alice is alleged to have fraudulently inherited her late half-brother’s house in Old Pumula suburb after she allegedly purported to be the surviving spouse.

Mbizo died on December 4, 2002 and his sister Alice was appointed heir to the estate which includes his Old Pumula house.

Natsho’s mother was customarily married to Mbizo for 43 years.

According to court documents, Masuku was born Alice Lunga and adopted the Masuku surname when her mother re-married. The Chronicle