Mugabe’s Secret Son Loses Inheritance Suit
A man claiming to be the secret son of the late President Robert Mugabe, Tonderai Mugabe, has withdrawn his challenge in the High Court after a failed bid to reopen the former President’s estate.
Tonderai had approached the High Court seeking to be recognized as a rightful heir to the Mugabe estate, naming Bona Mugabe, the late leader’s daughter and executor of the estate, as the respondent in his suit.
Represented by Mr T.M. Zenda of Hungwe and Partners, Tonderai demanded access to President Mugabe’s death certificate, intending to invoke provisions of the Administration of Estates Act.
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However, his case faced an early hurdle due to procedural flaws, including missing the statutory six-week deadline to challenge the decision of the Master of the High Court.
Justice Chitapi dismissed his reliance on using the Mugabe surname, stating that merely adopting a name does not confer legal status as a descendant.
Mugabe’s Secret Son Loses Inheritance Suit
Realising the inevitability of defeat, Tonderai’s lawyer requested a brief adjournment to consult with his client. Upon resuming, Tonderai opted to withdraw the case and agreed to pay legal costs.
Justice Chitapi accepted the withdrawal, describing the lawsuit as “fatally defective” and legally unsalvageable, sparing the court from wasting further time and resources.
Mr. Chinake, the legal representative for Bona Mugabe, argued that the estate had already been finalised and distributed, leaving no legal basis for reopening it.
The law, he pointed out, protects executors from such claims once an estate is officially wound up.
Tonderai had also submitted DNA results and a birth certificate as evidence, but these failed to meet the standards required under the Civil Evidence Act.
Justice Chitapi dismissed the documents as unreliable and lacking credibility, further dismantling Tonderai’s case.
