The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
HUNDREDS of women from Chipinge and Chimanimani districts were left better informed and excited after the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa had an opportunity to interact with them on issues pertaining to inheritance and property rights.
The indaba was held at Chipinge Junior Primary School where the First Lady introduced a panel comprising of the Master of High Court Mr Eldard Mutasa, the chief law officer Mr Charlse Manhiri and officials from the Ministry of Justice for interaction.
Residents said the First Lady’s programme would go a long way in addressing and ending conflicts around distribution of estates which has for long divided many families and communities.
Mrs Faith Garwi, a women rights activist in Chipinge, said the programme was welcome, especially in patriarchal society such as Chipinge, where male relatives grab the deceased’s entire estate at the expense of spouses and children.
“The programme was long overdue. We are now better informed. It was an eye opener, especially to women as they are always at the receiving end after the death of their spouses.
“The area has many orphans, but what boggles the mind is the fact that their parents left properties which could help them in life, but have no access to it. Due to male dominance in society, everything is grabbed, leaving the bona-fide beneficiaries with nothing. We hope this will go a long way addressing such anomalies,” she said.
Mrs Elizabeth Zamazama, of Checheche, said the programme had benefited women whose rights were infringed when dealing with inheritance and property issues.
“We have mastered a lot during this interactions. Surely, we were in the dark with regards to these issues and were empowered with knowledge and will discuss them with our husbands to secure the future of our children and relatives. We are grateful to the First Lady for introducing this subject,” she said.
Mr Lazarus Mtetwa, of Gaza, said the programme would unite families and promote peace in communities.
“Some of the conflicts in the communities emanate from unresolved property and inheritance rights issues. What she told us promotes peace in the country, because peace should start in the community we live in,” he said.
Amai Mnangagwa said her whirlwind tour was aimed at ending estate conflicts in many families.
“This programme will cascade to the districts and Chipinge is the first district to benefit. We will be accompanied by experts who will educate the people on what to do when distributing wealth of the deceased.
“We hope, following the programme, conflicts of sharing property will come to an end,” she said.
Mr Mutasa urged families to seek legal advice before distributing the deceased’s property.
“We urge families to seek legal advice before distributing property of the deceased. Some families are committing offences without knowing.
“I am therefore urging you, especially women, to seek legal advice. Many women are at the receiving end when it comes to the distribution of their late spouses’ estate,” he added.
