Harare, (New Ziana) –  The Zimbabwe Union of Residents and Ratepayers Association (ZURRA) has called on the Government to adopt a more people-centred approach to the finalization of deceased estates, warning that thousands of vulnerable families could struggle to meet the July 31 deadline due to financial constraints.
In a statement, ZURRA spokesperson, Marvellous Kumalo said while the association supports Government efforts to improve the administration of deceased estates, the current compliance deadline risks placing an unfair burden on low-income households already grappling with economic hardships.
“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,” Kumalo said.
The Master of the High Court recently issued a public notice directing beneficiaries, executors, administrators and other interested parties to finalize registered deceased estates by July 31, 2026, as part of efforts to clear a backlog of outstanding cases.
However, Kumalo said consultations conducted by ZURRA across the country revealed that many families are unable to complete the process because of the high costs involved, including estate administration fees, property valuations, conveyancing charges and transfer costs.
“Our consultations indicate that many deceased 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,” he said.
According to ZURRA, those most affected include widows, pensioners, unemployed people, persons with disabilities, child-headed households and other low-income families whose inheritance often consists of a single residential property occupied by surviving relatives.
Kumalo said estate administration should go beyond simply closing files and instead prioritize protecting beneficiaries’ rights, preserving family assets where possible and safeguarding homes occupied by surviving spouses, children and dependants.
He also called for greater transparency on what measures the Master of the High Court may take after the July 31 deadline, particularly regarding the possible appointment of independent professional executors and any costs that beneficiaries could incur.
To ease the burden on families, ZURRA urged the Government, Parliament, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Office of the Master of the High Court to introduce flexible payment plans for estate administration fees, extend the compliance deadline, amend the Administration of Estates Act to strengthen protection for matrimonial homes and launch decentralized public awareness campaigns across all provinces.
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,” Kumalo said.
He added that meaningful engagement between authorities and residents was necessary to develop practical and inclusive solutions that balance efficient estate administration with the protection of beneficiaries and their family homes.
New Ziana
