Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe Union of Residents and Ratepayers Association (ZURRA) has called for a flexible and consultative programme that benefits registered deceased estate beneficiaries in a fair, timeously and goodwill manner.
This follows the move by the Master of High Court move calling on beneficiaries and other interested parties to finalize registered estates by 31 July 2026.
In a statement, ZURRA spokesperson, Marvelous Khumalo said the 31 July deadline may prove an obstacle to estates beneficiaries to complete administration requisites.
Said Khumalo:
“Zimbabwe Union of Residents and Ratepayers Association (ZURRA) has taken note of the public notice issued by the Master of the High Court calling upon beneficiaries, executors, administrators and interested parties to take steps to finalize registered deceased estates by 31 July 2026.
ZURRA recognizes and supports the Government efforts to improve the administration of deceased estates and facilitate the timely transfer of inheritances to beneficiaries.
Efficient estate administration is essential in promoting legal certainty, protecting property rights and ensuring that beneficiaries enjoy the fruits of their inheritance without unnecessary delay.
“However, following consultations with residents and beneficiaries specifically across Zimbabwe. ZURRA is concerned that the current deadline may disproportionately affect vulnerable households who continue to face significant socio-economic challenges that hinder their ability to complete estate administration processes within the stipulated timeframe.
Our consultation indicate that many deceased estate estates remain unfinished not because beneficiaries are unwilling to comply with the law, nor because Executors are negligent or incompetent. Rather, the principal challenge faced by many families is the financial burden associated with estate administration which includes estate administration fees (Masters and Independent executors), valuation costs, transfer costs, conveyancing charges and other related expenses.”
Khumalo said the affected beneficiaries by the Master of High Court move are widows, pensioners among others who will find it difficult to complete the administration process by 31 July.
“Particularly affected are widows, pensioners, unemployed persons, persons with disabilities, child-headed households and the general low-income households whose primary inheritance consists of a single residential property occupied by surviving family members.
In many cases, these families continue to reside in inherited homes while struggling to meet basic household needs, making it difficult to raise the resources required to complete the administration processes.
“ZURRA is therefore of the view that the objective of deceased estate administration should not merely be the effective closure of estate files, but also the protection of beneficiaries’ rights, preservation of family assets if practical, promotion of access to justice, and safeguarding of residential homes occupied by surviving spouses, children and dependents.
Furthermore, ZURRA believes residents and beneficiaries are entitled to greater clarity regarding the legal and administrative measures that may be taken following the expiry of the deadline.
“The public notice indicates that the Master may take steps to facilitate the finalisation of estates after 31 July 2026.
Given concerns that such measures may include the replacement of current executors with independent professional executors in terms of the Administration of Estates Act, it is important that the public be fully informed of the procedures to be followed, the criteria for intervention, and any cost implications that may ultimately be borne by beneficiaries.”
Khumalo called on government to come up with flexible measures for the benefit of beneficiaries.
“To promote compliance while protecting vulnerable residents from undue hardship, ZURRA calls upon the Government, Parliament, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and the Office of the Master of the High Court to consider the following measures:
• Payment plans, estate beneficiaries should be allowed to enter written payment arrangements that are practical and flexible.
• Extend the compliance deadline beyond 31 July 2026 to provide beneficiaries with a realistic opportunity to comply with estate administration requirements given prevailing economic conditions.
• Reform the Administration of Estate Act, Parliament should consider amending the Administration of Estates Act and related laws to provide special protection for matrimonial homes and single residential properties occupied by surviving spouses, children and dependants.
• Launch decentralised awareness campaigns, through deployment of localized outreach programs across all provinces to clearly communicate estate finalisation procedures and eliminate public confusion.
“While ZURRA supports efforts to reduce the backlog of unfinalized deceased estates and ensure beneficiaries receive their inheritances without undue delay, such efforts must be guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, accountability and social justice.
ZURRA therefore urges the Government, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and the Master of the High Court to engage residents in developing practical and inclusive solutions that balance administrative efficiency with protection of beneficiaries’ rights and family homes.”
The July 31, 2026 deadline marks a nationwide call by the Master of the High Court of Zimbabwe for the finalization of all registered deceased estates. Administrators, executors, and beneficiaries are urged to visit the relevant Master’s Office to clear pending paperwork and ensure estates are efficiently settled.