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Forgery rap sparks fresh legal war in US$48m-Pfugari estate
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The contentious battle over the late property mogul Edward Nyanyiwa Sr's multi-million-dollar estate has intensified, with his daughter Naume Makumbe facing allegations of forgery.
Edward Nyanyiwa, popularly known as Eddies Pfugari, passed away in 2019, leaving behind a vast property portfolio across Zimbabwe. Since his death, his descendants have been embroiled in a heated legal struggle over the rightful inheritance.
Naume Makumbe, 57, has been accused of using a forged marriage certificate to claim a portion of the US$48 million estate. She is scheduled to appear in court on January 17 to face these allegations.
The state asserts that between April and October 2019, Makumbe tendered a fake marriage certificate of her late mother, Mildred Nyanyiwa, and Pfugari to the Master of the High Court to support her claim to the estate. Investigations reportedly revealed discrepancies in the signatures, with official records showing inconsistencies.
Furthermore, the Zimbabwe Independent has obtained documents indicating that the marriage certificate was not registered with the Registrar of Marriages, raising serious suspicions.
In response, Makumbe has submitted verified documents from the Registrar of Marriages, showing a duplicate marriage certificate issued on April 14, 2023. She maintains that her mother's civil marriage to Pfugari was lawful and binding.
The legal battle has exposed deep-seated tensions among Pfugari's children, with Edward Nyanyiwa Jr., who emerged in Zimbabwe in 1998 claiming to be Pfugari's son from a relationship with South African Heasebia Phafane, playing a central role in the dispute.
Edward Jr. has been accused of attempting to exclude his siblings from the estate, arguing that his mother's marriage to Pfugari lacked legal standing, thus denying her any claim. However, legal documents affirm that Pfugari's civil marriage to Mildred Nyanyiwa was indeed valid at the time of his death.
A letter from the Zimbabwe Inheritance Services (ZIS) dated January 27, 2021, highlighted this stance, stating that Pfugari's civil marriage to Mildred Nyanyiwa took precedence over any other claims. Consequently, Edward Jr.'s claims of a 50% stake in the estate were rejected.
The dispute is ongoing, with Makumbe and other siblings determined to defend their rights in court. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the distribution of Pfugari's substantial estate.
Edward Nyanyiwa, popularly known as Eddies Pfugari, passed away in 2019, leaving behind a vast property portfolio across Zimbabwe. Since his death, his descendants have been embroiled in a heated legal struggle over the rightful inheritance.
Naume Makumbe, 57, has been accused of using a forged marriage certificate to claim a portion of the US$48 million estate. She is scheduled to appear in court on January 17 to face these allegations.
The state asserts that between April and October 2019, Makumbe tendered a fake marriage certificate of her late mother, Mildred Nyanyiwa, and Pfugari to the Master of the High Court to support her claim to the estate. Investigations reportedly revealed discrepancies in the signatures, with official records showing inconsistencies.
Furthermore, the Zimbabwe Independent has obtained documents indicating that the marriage certificate was not registered with the Registrar of Marriages, raising serious suspicions.
In response, Makumbe has submitted verified documents from the Registrar of Marriages, showing a duplicate marriage certificate issued on April 14, 2023. She maintains that her mother's civil marriage to Pfugari was lawful and binding.
The legal battle has exposed deep-seated tensions among Pfugari's children, with Edward Nyanyiwa Jr., who emerged in Zimbabwe in 1998 claiming to be Pfugari's son from a relationship with South African Heasebia Phafane, playing a central role in the dispute.
Edward Jr. has been accused of attempting to exclude his siblings from the estate, arguing that his mother's marriage to Pfugari lacked legal standing, thus denying her any claim. However, legal documents affirm that Pfugari's civil marriage to Mildred Nyanyiwa was indeed valid at the time of his death.
A letter from the Zimbabwe Inheritance Services (ZIS) dated January 27, 2021, highlighted this stance, stating that Pfugari's civil marriage to Mildred Nyanyiwa took precedence over any other claims. Consequently, Edward Jr.'s claims of a 50% stake in the estate were rejected.
The dispute is ongoing, with Makumbe and other siblings determined to defend their rights in court. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the distribution of Pfugari's substantial estate.
Source - newsday
