Former Gutu RDC boss in court for fraud
Former Gutu Rural District Council administrator has been arraigned before the court accused of fraudulently changing her late husband’s property into her name and by extension shortchanging other women in the polygamous marriage.
Makepeace Muzenda is said to have transferred Kudakwashe Mutongi’s property into her name in connivance with Gutu council officials who helped facilitate fake documents giving her entitlement to the property.
It is alleged the documents were obtained through fraudulent means in order to convince the executor not to include the property on the list for equitable distribution with the other woman in the union as well as the children.
According to the court papers, Mutongi died in early 2000 but the property was listed in his name in the inventory that is with the Master of High Court, according to the executor, Freddy Chimbari.
The executor wants the purported lease agreement obtained by Muzenda from Gutu Rural District cancelled because it was obtained illegally.
“The distribution account has not been drawn and neither was the estate wound up. Further, Muzenda and Gutu Rural District Office chief executive have not sought the consent of the Master of the High Court to transfer the property,” Chimbari submitted.
“The property has since been transferred into Muzenda’s name and as it stands she is registered owner of the estate property. The lease agreement between Muzenda and the Gutu Rural District should be cancelled for they were fraudulently obtained.”
Muzenda, maintained that the property in question belongs to her and not the late husband and as such should not be part of the deceased’s estate.
