The former wife and the sister of late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo have agreed to manage his estate together. Sonja Louise Madzikanda and Esther Chivayo signed a memorandum of understanding in Harare on Tuesday, Tanzania's Mwananchi reported, citing Zimbabwean media. The deal sets transparency rules for handling his assets, his debts and the interests of his two children.
The agreement does not yet make them co-executors. According to Mwananchi, the appointment must follow legal procedures and be confirmed by the relevant authorities. Madzikanda's lawyer, Rungano Mahuni of Mahuni Gidiri Law Chambers, wrote to the Master of the High Court. He said the parties had reached consensus after consultations and agreed to appoint the two women as co-executors.
Esther's lawyers, Caleb Mucheche and Partners, said she is the deceased's sister and close relative. They said her role aims to protect the family's interests, especially those of the two children. Her involvement also avoids the cost of appointing an independent executor.
The deal requires both women to act honestly and in the estate's interest. Each must disclose what she knows about the assets, debts, shares, investments and business interests. New information must be shared within two working days, or immediately if property is at risk. Neither may take control of assets or act alone, unless the law allows it or loss is imminent. Hiding information, forging records or making unapproved transactions counts as a serious breach. The other side can then go to court, including to have the offending executor removed.
The agreement also covers conflicts of interest in companies where Chivayo held shares. Where Esther has a personal stake in a firm she ran with her brother, Madzikanda will represent the estate and Esther will step aside. The reverse applies when Madzikanda or the children have conflicting interests. Money in the children's accounts at CBZ Bank's Borrowdale branch is not part of the estate. It remains governed by an order Judge Tsanga issued on April 2, 2026. Madzikanda keeps control of those accounts, and Esther cannot instruct the bank about them.
Other cases over Chivayo's wealth are pending. Madzikanda had claimed a division of matrimonial property worth $25 million. That case was awaiting a Supreme Court ruling when Chivayo died. His lawyer, Sylvester Hashiti, said it was removed from the roll until an executor is appointed and substituted for the deceased.
The estate has been registered, and a first meeting of the parties has taken place. No executor has been appointed, and the estate's value has not been disclosed. Chivayo died on September 30, 2026, in a helicopter crash in Marondera, Zimbabwe. His wife, Lucy Muteke, died with him. They left two minor children.