Published: 4 hours ago

A bitter inheritance dispute is tearing through the family of the late retired senior assistant police commissioner Shepherd Gwasira, as his children move to have their uncle removed as executor of the estate amid allegations of mismanagement and lack of transparency.

Gwasira, who passed away on August 29, 2020, left behind four wives and seven children. What was expected to be an orderly distribution of his assets has instead devolved into years of legal wrangling over residential and commercial properties, rental income, and other business interests linked to the late officer.

Court documents show that the children, represented by Sheila Gwasira (now deceased), Kudzai Leonard Gwasira, and Munyaradzi Walter Gwasira, petitioned the Master of the High Court to have Zambe Nyika removed as executor dative of the estate. The case, registered as DR1429/20, was heard before the Master, who noted in a September 18, 2024 ruling that the inquiry sought to determine whether Nyika was "fit and proper to continue in the office as the executor."

The complainants cited multiple grounds for removal, including lack of cooperation with beneficiaries, failure to account for rental income from estate properties, incompetence, disregard for the Master's directives, and alleged misappropriation of proceeds from the leasing of the Snake Park Shopping Mall and other sources totaling around US$16,000. They also claimed Nyika had not distributed funds received from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission or the Grain Marketing Board.

In his defence, Nyika denied wrongdoing, asserting that the beneficiaries' conduct had contributed to delays in administering the estate. He described the allegations as "frivolous and vexatious" and motivated by a desire to control the estate's assets to the detriment of other family members.

The Master ultimately dismissed the children's case, ruling that they had failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the removal of Nyika. The decision noted that the executor had demonstrated competence in handling the complex estate, despite being a layperson, and referenced legal precedent affirming that removal is only warranted on good grounds.

Following the ruling, the Gwasira family escalated the matter to the High Court, filing an appeal on October 8, 2025. A letter from the Registrar, Prince Hurungudo, confirmed receipt of the appeal and indicated that it has been placed before a judge for consideration. The correspondence was copied to all seven respondents, including the Master of the High Court and several of Gwasira's widows: Rudo Eviah Gwasira, Sophia Rudo Gwasira, and Emily Munyandu Tembani.

Sources close to the family described the feud as a "war with no end in sight," marked by mistrust, multiple lawsuits, and police involvement. The estate, valued for its mix of high-value residential and commercial properties and business interests, remains at the centre of a legal battle that shows little sign of resolution.
- Zimbabwe Independent