Late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s ex-wife and sister named co-executors of his estate as $25 million claim hangs over it

Zimbabwe’s Master of the High Court has appointed the sister and former wife of late tycoon Wicknell Chivayo as co-executors of his estate, setting a six-month deadline to account for a fortune that has never been valued and is shadowed by a $25 million claim.

Esther Chivayo, his sister, and Sonja Louise Madzikanda, his former wife, received letters of administration after a meeting at the Master’s Office in early November, YEN reported. The document was signed in Harare on Nov. 9. It gives them six months to file a full administration account, and they could lose their executor fees if they miss the deadline without a lawful excuse. The court can also summon executors who fail to meet their statutory duties.

Chivayo, 43, died on Sept. 30 when a helicopter crashed on a farm in Marondera, about 70 km east of Harare. All six people on board were killed, including his wife, Lucy Muteke, Billionaires.Africa reported at the time.

The appointment follows a deal between the two women. On Nov. 3, they signed an undertaking to run the estate jointly, and their lawyers lodged it with the Master. “Consensus has been reached for the appointment of co-executors,” said Rungano Mahuni of Mahuni Gidiri Law Chambers, who represents Madzikanda.

The agreement also sets guardrails. Neither woman may act alone except to prevent an imminent loss, and each must share details of assets, shareholdings and trusts with the other within two business days. Where a company is co-owned by Esther Chivayo and her brother, Madzikanda alone will act for the estate. Where Madzikanda or the children have adverse interests, Esther Chivayo will act alone.

The $25 million claim is the central complication. Madzikanda had a matrimonial property dispute worth that amount before Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court when Chivayo died. The court removed the case from its roll until an executor could be substituted to represent his estate, according to My Zimbabwe.

The estate’s value has not been officially established, and it includes business interests and assets still to be identified. Two bank accounts held in the names of Chivayo’s two minor children belong to them, not to the estate, according to the agreement.

Chivayo built his fortune through Intratrek Zimbabwe and state energy contracts. His 100 MW Gwanda solar project, awarded in 2014, received a notice to proceed this September at a revised cost of less than $132 million, down from the original $172 million. Billionaires.Africa also reported that his death left state contracts in three countries resting on a company built around one person.

In June, he pledged a proposed $163 million solar project in Eswatini after receiving citizenship from King Mswati III, Billionaires.Africa reported.

As a result, the future of those contracts and companies now rests with two women who were on opposite sides of a $25 million dispute, with the Master’s six-month clock already ticking.