Multiple marriage claims as legal dispute erupts over estate of ex-Zanu-PF MP

A fierce legal battle has broken out over the estate of the late Zanu-PF legislator for Insiza North, Farai Taruvinga, amid revelations that he may have had four wives at the time of his death on March 31, 2025.

Amanda Falala, one of the widows and the court-appointed executor of Taruvinga's estate, has come under fire from another woman, Nontokozo Moyo, who is challenging her legitimacy as the estate's administrator. Moyo, who claims to have been customarily married to Taruvinga in December 2024, accuses Falala of fraudulently concealing her and another woman, Nokukhanya Sibanda, from official records submitted to the Master of the High Court.

In court papers filed at the Bulawayo High Court, Moyo alleges that Falala falsely declared only two wives — herself and Diana Makina — in the death notice and inventory of the estate, excluding the others to disinherit them.

"Barely within a week of his demise, Amanda Falala registered the estate… stating falsely that the late Taruvinga was only customarily married to her and Diana Makina," Moyo said in her affidavit. "This was plainly false… Falala took a deliberate decision to conceal my existence from the Master of the High Court."

Moyo has applied for the High Court to declare Falala's appointment as executor "irregular and a nullity."

According to preliminary documents, Taruvinga's estate includes multiple high-value assets: a house in Bulawayo's Hillside suburb, a residential stand in Matsheumhlope, properties in Filabusi including Bekezela Township, a rural home in Skuta, and a fleet of 15 vehicles — among them a Bentley, two Toyota Land Cruisers, and a motorbike. The estate inventory also lists 32 head of cattle, with lawyers indicating that a more comprehensive list will be presented as proceedings unfold.

Taruvinga, who reportedly fathered 12 children, was a businessman with diverse interests. He owned a gold mine in Filabusi, two nightclubs, and a modern abattoir.

In a separate legal challenge, Moyo is suing Falala for allegedly evicting her from the Hillside home she shared with Taruvinga and another wife, Sibanda. She claims Falala also forcibly took a wallet belonging to the late MP containing US$1,800. Moyo is seeking a restoration of her occupation of the property and the return of the wallet through a spoliation application.

Falala has dismissed Moyo's claims outright, denying that she was ever married to Taruvinga. In her opposing affidavit, Falala said:
"I am shocked at the allegations of Nontokozo Moyo being a wife, let alone a fourth wife. I am not aware of any third wife as well."

Falala further alleges that Moyo was hired at her request to assist as a nurse aide for Taruvinga, who had been battling cancer. She says Moyo's stay at the Hillside property was purely for medical caregiving purposes.

"Moyo was at that time 17 years old and not allowed to be in a marriage, let alone a sexual relationship… I had upgraded Moyo from being my shopkeeper to my husband's nurse aide," Falala stated. "Her occupation of the house was not as a spouse, but as a caregiver."

The legal proceedings are ongoing, with the High Court expected to rule on the validity of the executor appointment and Moyo's claims in due course. The case could set a significant precedent in matters involving customary marriages and estate administration in Zimbabwe.